Gilbert, who purchased the team in 2005, likely understands what losing James means to his franchise financially, with the sellout crowds and the checks coming from deep playoff runs likely to cease for some time. But he let his emotions flow as he angrily called James "the self-titled former King" while claiming that his televised announcement was "shameful display of selfishness and betrayal."

Using an odd Comic Sans font -- which adds to the ridiculous nature of the evening -- Gilbert proclaimed that the Cavaliers would win a championship before the Heat and concluded by sending a hex toward James. "The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma. Just watch. Sleep well, Cleveland."

Read Gilbert's entire letter below:

Dear Cleveland, All Of Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Cavaliers Supporters Wherever You May Be Tonight;

As you now know, our former hero, who grew up in the very region that he deserted this evening, is no longer a Cleveland Cavalier.

This was announced with a several day, narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national TV special of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.

Clearly, this is bitterly disappointing to all of us.

The good news is that the ownership team and the rest of the hard-working, loyal, and driven staff over here at your hometown Cavaliers have not betrayed you nor NEVER will betray you.

There is so much more to tell you about the events of the recent past and our more than exciting future. Over the next several days and weeks, we will be communicating much of that to you.

You simply don't deserve this kind of cowardly betrayal.

You have given so much and deserve so much more.

In the meantime, I want to make one statement to you tonight:

"I PERSONALLY GUARANTEE THAT THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS WILL WIN AN NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE THE SELF-TITLED FORMER 'KING' WINS ONE"

You can take it to the bank.

If you thought we were motivated before tonight to bring the hardware to Cleveland, I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.

Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.

This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.

But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.

The self-declared former "King" will be taking the "curse" with him down south. And until he does "right" by Cleveland and Ohio, James (and the town where he plays) will unfortunately own this dreaded spell and bad karma.

Just watch.

Sleep well, Cleveland.

Tomorrow is a new and much brighter day....

I PROMISE you that our energy, focus, capital, knowledge and experience will be directed at one thing and one thing only:

DELIVERING YOU the championship you have long deserved and is long overdue....

Between the comic sans font and the random use of "ironic" quotation marks, that Gilbert letter gives of a fantastic "crazy-mad jilted lover drunk dialing and leaving a rambling rant on the ex's answering machine after being dumped" vibe.

The Wizard's front office should take note of this circus atmosphere created and learn something from it. Hopefully, in the future, the Wizards will take the Kevin Durant contract negotiations route and sign Wall the chilled smooth way that OKC did it the other day. The ironic thing about all of the free agent hoopla is that; when Kobe gets too old or retires, it will probably be Durant that is the face of the NBA, not any of the 2010 free agents.

What Dan Gilbert said was refreshingly honest and I wish more owners were like him. Sportswriters have too long protected LeBron James and the NBA.

This is a league where a referee fixed games in the recent past and the sportswriters never followed up on that most serious issue in depth. Imagine that NBA games fixed by referees and in this case it was Tim Donaghy. Serious questions remain about the performance of Cavaliers players in the Boston series, there were some weird things happening.

Can we call Dan Gilbert, "The Danny jr"? Cause he def put his foot in that letter! That letter will go down in history as the greatest break up letter of all time! And he said Lebron QUIT in the playoffs. Lol. Tellem why U mad son!!!!

If you have the stature to own an NBA team, you should know better than to write something this ham-handed and childish. Gilbert's letter to fans will go down as legend. LeBron is a $100M brat, but Gilbert comes off as a $500M brat.

Can you imagine what Kobe was thinking as he watched Thursday evening's announcement? He must have been seething. He's probably already counting the months, weeks and days until the Lakers play the Heat during the regular season. Knowing how Bryant uses such things as motivation, he's almost surely hoping the Heat win the Eastern Conference and face the Lakers in the Finals.

Gee wiz! Basketball is a team sport, right? Individual stars? Yes! But no one star wins a championship on their own. As much as Kobe gloats that he has more than Shaq, we Gasol and Fisher are racking them up too. Recent logic is that a team needs at least 3 top notch players to go deep in the playoffs and win a championship.

So in a team sport comprised of individual stars and at a time when LBJ takes less contract money to join two other stars in Miami and form a team........... Isn't it ironic that he comes off more selfish and self centered than ever?

Note to Dan Gilbert: You couldn't win an NBA championship WITH LeBron, but now that he's leaving, you're going to win one WITHOUT him. So let me get this straight, LeBron is taking the "curse" and "bad karma" with him to Miami. And yet, you're pissed because he left. If we are to follow the "logic" of your rhetoric, Cleveland couldn't win because "King James" cursed them to lose and is a source of "bad karma", but yet you wanted him to stay. I'm beginning to think the real reason why LeBron left is to get away from you.

So why is Lebron the bad guy here? He's playing by the rules. His contract is up in Cleveland. If his services were no longer viable in the teams opinion the team would dump his quick smart. So why is it so bad when it goes the other way. He wants a chamionship just like the team does. Each will do whatever they can to reach that goal. The Cleveland owner sounds a childish to me.

Sitting here in Zhuhai, China and reading James' announcement and the comments made by viewers. James made the decision which he felt was right for him and someday from hindsight others will say he did the right thing. I wonder which university did Gilbert graduate from? He certainly comes off as a non-intellectual, self-serving a-hole. In his years with the Cavaliers LeBron brought them fame and fortune by being there and contributing phenomenally to their success. Now, a little older and a little wiser he's making his move. Maybe Gilbert should have consulted with a
"feng shui" master before he decided to spout off.

While this 1 hour special was a bit self indulgent, the statement by Dan Gilbert makes it easier to understand why he had to leave.

No one who feels that type of vitriol about a person can hide that very well.

From the inept Danny Ferry to the bringing in of a cooked Shaq to D. West 'getting' with his Mom, plus the thought of ending up toiling away like KG did in Minnesota, I get why he had to leave. Same reason Shaq left Orlando, same reason KG and Ray banded together with Pierce.

Like he said, he didn't want to end up 31 with bad knees and no rings.

I'm no LeBron fan, but Dan Gilbert sounds like a 10 year old. Just because he's from Akron, the Cleveland fans think they own him. Miami w/ South Beach, DWade, Bosh and Pat Riley or Cleveland, 'The Mistake by the Lake', w/ Mo Williams, Antwan Jamison and Dan Gilbert, tough decision there....

Dan Gilbert's comments ring hollow here. Gilbert enabled LeBron's behavior over the last seven years and is part to blame for James' ridiculously hubristic television special. Maybe if Gilbert had fined or rebuked LeBron in some way for leaving the court without shaking hands with the Magic in the '09 playoffs or for dancing and showing the utmost disrespect during a lopsided victory over the Bulls, things might have turned out differently. Or maybe not, but Gilbert has been coddling James for the last few years, afraid to upset him because he might leave. I guess that didn't work.

ROTFLMAO!! This from an owner who, at best, in building a "championship team" around one of the top three premmier players in the land put around him three guys [Larry, Curly, and Moe Williams], a way-past-his-prime Shaq [didn't he notice how much better Phoenix was once they dumped him!], and another player whose best days are at least 5 years behind him [Antwain Jamison]. Dan Gilbert--who'll never be mistaken for Jerry Buss,or even Jeanie--simply didn't get it done. Wisely, I think, LeBron chose to move on. He finally saw this year what he may have suspected 2-3 years ago: that management was not going to put a championship caliber team around him!

This letter is a foolish, irrational gesture that is likely to backfire. Dan Gilbert, of course, is in no position to guarantee anything on the court. At best, you can take it as a promise to Cavs fans that he will open his checkbook and sign the best of the rest of the free agents, whoever they are. He does have some salary cap room now. I wonder if he would want Gilbert?

This just goes to show that James indeed made the correct decision. This owner gets what he deserves. I initially felt sorry for the franchise, but now I am ecstatic that he left. Here's to Cleveland never having a winning season again.

I disregard the letter from gilbert, I am so sorry for lebron i think i was so stupid to expect better from a highschool kid who has been given a useless respect undeservedly.He did not quit to ohio,he did it to his legasy.His mother is right,she told him to do what makes him happy but this psycho immature child has fail to realize what will make his future bright.He will leave in pain for the rest of his life.
He might win eventually but i do not expect miami to be the power house this season.I am not thinking like the mad ESPN commentators who are trying to correlate the move as the one done by boston three seasons ago.
That move was done with promising PG and center on hand,highly orcestrated supporting cast already on hand and most of all if we go back to the final that move would have been a disaster if Posey was not there with his wining talent.Who is going to be miami's this season posey,mike miller?
The injury prone bash will play 55 games, Lebron james will miss several games to attend physiatric clinic sicking help for Adjestment disorder and pATHOLOGICAL guilt.

Anyone have the link to the Cavs fan blog ? I'd like to write an open letter to the Cavs fan who used to visit our site here.

This is the funniest thing Ive ever seen, btw. James has the right to do whatever he wants to do, More power to him. Even if Wade and Bosh werent there, Miami is preferable. It's Cleveland, for goodness sake.

From Yahoo sports:
"Former Washington Wizards swingman Mike Miller(notes) is jumping on the bus with LeBron James(notes) and company and signing a deal with the Miami Heat, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel."

I think they are all whining way too much. Your only mad at lebron because of the caliber of the player he is. If you wanted him to stay around that bad, you would have done something with some free agents to get him the team needed to win. Lebron is about the wins. So for you to come out and attack Lebron like that is ludacris. Are you mad at Shaq right now for not re signing? I didnt think so, so please stop actling like a baby. I personally would have like you guys to try to get amare or chris bosh so that lebron would stay. Instead you were lazy and in the lackadaisical efforts in keeping lebron, ITS A BUSINESS !! You did nothing to keep him, and by attacking him your only going to make it worse. If i were you i would pray to who ever you pray to that he doesn't drop 55 or more on your team for the comments you have made. Never wake up a beast you cant control. Now for your ridiculous comment about winning a championship before him....... You had nothing before him and guess what you have nothing now. As long as we are making guarantees, i will guarantee Lebron will not only win the championship, but will win MVP and finals MVP. Have a good day little boy. Yours truly Ryan

One more thing to all those saying he is a little kid for doing this. Lebron played his heart out for you all. Worked as hard as anyone would. Blood sweat and tears. So because now he decides that winning a championship is not in the Cleveland future, you all are going to be haters. The only ones acting like high school children is you. Grow up build a team to prove him wrong, dont whine and send mean messages it gets you know where. Lebron i hope you read this, you did right by you. God bless and GO MIAMI !!!!

Lebron owes you nothing. He gave Cleveland 7 great years and is entitled to choose the setting for the next chapter in his life.

As a businessman you should understand that, at the end of day, Lebron's decision is good business for him. His heart and intentions are not in question, he proved that for 7 years. You benefited from that and should be grateful.

Bottom line... grow up and shut up.

If I had to guess, your reaction and display of "bad sportsmanship", in some way, may have weighed in on Lebron's decision.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE NBA NEEDS, TO STOP LETTING PLAYERS COME IN THE LEAGUE TO YOUNG!

THIS LEAGUE IS WATERED DOWN! TO MANY TEAMS JUST DON'T STAND A CHANCE. THE TALENT IS NOT THERE. THEY JUST HAD A DRAFT MAJORITY OF THE GUYS PICK WILL AMOUNT TO NOTHING MORE BUY JOURNEY MEN! INCLUDING THE ONE THE WIZARDS PICKED!

HYPE, HYPE AND MORE HYPE!

SO LABRON GAVE UP!
WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO WIN FOR THERE STATE?
Having Bosh,Wade and Lebron should be an advantage but i believe it will take sometime before they get a Championship.

The league really need to join some of these teams together because they will never win the way they are.

It's Sad but the NBA been some do do for sometime now.

oh the officiating is another thing but Stern likes it the way it is, good example why are people trying to get contract when the owners are saying there will be a lockout next season?
Why not sign for one year and wait to see what happens.

Heh, heh. I thought the Comic Sans font was the perfect way to sum up this domestic sit-com.

Lebron ought to change his moniker to "ShamWow" after that infomercial of his. What it proves is that some people bulk up but they never grow up. ESPN, what a bunch of saps who fell for the hype. You ought to merge with QVC.

Dan Gilbert, I "feel" ur "pain". BWAHAHAHA that rant of yours will go down in the record books. Even if you took it down this morning, it would live forever on a thousand web sites.

"Cowardly betrayal?" Really? Well, this owner and general manager did absolutely nothing to surround James with the players to win a championship despite having the opportunities to do so. What makes him think they can win a championship without James when they couldn't do it WITH him? With that kind of an attitude, I can understand why nobody wants to play in Cleveland.

The problem here is that they let Lebron tell ownership "who" he wanted to play with/for, something they should have never let happen. They built everything around that guy, for that Lebron should have showed more loyalty. He killed that franchise and slapped them in the face doing it.

"No" for the simple fact that people are allowed to do what they want to do, hense Lebron made a decision on what he thought was best for him.

The owner should have taken the evening to think about it, but make no mistake Lebron is a marked man in the NBA. This is bad for sports.

Bottom line is Lebron is basically telling the NBA "I am more important than you."

It's tough. I think becasue of this your going to see a hard cap in the NBA very soon. I don't think this is what many owners want, nor the commissioner.

Now for part two , everyone in cleveland now can turn all their energy to the browns . Big Mike will make you proud to be a Browns fan . Gilbert just put his desires out their for you guys to chose ........lol Gilbert .

Go wizards I got money that says the Bullets will have bigger gate reciects then you Cleveland people ....lolol Gilbert
Is gilbert a cartoon show ? Gilbert look at your roster now .....lol Gilbert

Kobe and Phil have to be super-charged, and I will say this too, that is exactly the type of match-up that should stress this mini-dream-team in Miami. (Not to mention that Orlando can actually play big) But let me ask this: When the game is on the line and Kobe steps up and starts taking over for the Lakers don't you think BOTH D-Wade and LeBron are going to want to be doing the same thing for the Heat? It's going to be interesting to watch, and it will be pretty easy to root for the Lakers.

IMO Lebron was already a self-inflated heel. The way he crafted this BS made him a nationwide heel. He should have cut the cavs loose days ago, before treating them all like a lottery and seeing who gets the big prize. Lord knows there are some annoying Cavs fans out there, but those people have cheered for, and supported and bought merch because of LeBron, they loved him, and if he had any respect for them he would have returned their love by at least letting them know in advance that he would not be returning.

And this BS that the ESPN bit was for charity?! Complete Sh)t! Why not have a charity dog fight? Or make ESPN always be a charity? It's just more weakness on his part, he is being a punk and trying to max out his exposure and he is pimping out the charity for PR coverage. Weak sauce my friends, and it says a lot about his mentality and the type of person he is.

The funny thing is I think he sincerely feels like he did this the 'right' way... what a joke. His most important adviser probably is his mom... but he should have learned by now that "Juicy" James is a classless self-indulgent wannabe, and the more we learn about James the more we see what a hack he is too.

PS - Does cleveland make a trade for Arenas now? How is Dan Gilbert going to back up his rant? The Tonya Harding technique? lol.

How long before the LeBron statue and all of the LeBron images around Cleveland are removed? I give it 2 weeks. Cavalier management should look in the mirror (rather than bash James for acting in his own best interest) and ask themselves why LeBron took a substantial drop in pay to get out of town.

LeBron was everything in that city. Their fans are wounded. If they want to burn his jersey, let 'em get it out of their system. The owner, on the other hand, should know better and keep his mouth shut, especially if he's trying to attract other players.

An interesting article by Neal Paine, analyzing/forecasting how the Heat will perform. His calculations predict between 61 to 68 wins. It's a series of related posts, quite interesting stuff by a statistician.http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=6859

An interesting article by Neal Paine, analyzing/forecasting how the Heat will perform. His calculations predict between 61 to 68 wins. It's a series of related posts, quite interesting stuff by a statistician.http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=6859

How can anyone predict anything when they have what 4 players? Well 7 with the 3 2nd round picks?

If LeBron is such a bad guy in Gilbert's eyes (a quitter, coward, etc.), why is he so obviously CRUSHED by his departure? Seems like he'd be thrilled that the quitter is leaving town. Gilbert needs to put the cognac away and figure out how to camouflage the roughly 12,000 empty seats that will otherwise be on clear display for every Cavalier home game this season. Gilbert's heart isn't broken. His wallet is.

This 'owner' sounds like he's 12 years old. Did he really think he 'owned' LeBron? LeBron wants (and some would argue objectively) deserves the opportunity to play for a championship. And as far as Dan Gilbert's Celie curse (until you do right by me ...) that's about as comical as the idea of Cleveland being better off without a player of LeBron's caliber -- it's just business, dude. And as far as that big baby Dan Gilbert's admonishment about 'how we would want our kids to behave', he needs to re-examine his irresponsible and classless accusations and charges against a kid that gave him all he had for 7 years, and in return was surrounded by a retarded coach, and a bunch of washed up bums. Dan Gilbert has NO CLASS; that's NOT the way to lose with grace. What free agent would want to come to a team where the owner bad mouths players who gave their all? How many games did LeBron miss with injury in 7 years? Not many, I would bet. How about a 'Thanks for making me a fortune' and a 'Fare-thee-well'?

Give me a break. Every time I hear a professional sports owner talk about loyalty, I cringe. The truth is, they trumpet "loyalty" and the team as family when it suits their purposes, but when they perceive it to be in their best interests to move a player, loyalty gets unceremoniously kicked in the can.

As teams have done re: the players for years, James has decided that his interests can best be served by changing teams. I have no problem with that. But how he did it stinks. The one-hour announcement special made James look like an ego-maniac. The person who came up with that idea (and I'm assuming it wasn't James himself) should be summarily dismissed from James' "inner circle." And he should have contacted the owner or GM of each team that recruited him personally, especially Gilbert, and informed them of his decision and his reasons before the announcement. If they could take the time and expense to fly out to Cleveland to recruit him, the least he could have done would be to afford them the courtesy of a personal response.

I would like to propose a toast to all of the Cavs fans who made fun of the Wiz fans during our difficult playoff years.

After our stars leave Washington, we have a thriving city and 2 states bustling with activity.

What do you have? Ashes from burned LJ jerseys and dreams of what could have been.

CHEERS B-----S!

Posted by: syvetteavery | July 9, 2010 8:51 AM |

+1000! My sentiments exactly! The funny thing (and watching Cleveland suffer IS funny) is that I saw this coming years ago. The only people who thought LeBaby was gonna stay in Cleveland were Cleveland fans! That Cleveland tied its economy and identity to a 25 year old kid tells me all I need to know about that town.

Here in the District, stars come and go (especially if you've been rooting for the Skins during the Snyder era) but the DMV has way too much other interesting stuff going on to even miss a beat.

This is truly a momentous day for us Wizards fans and I suspect that those insufferable Cavs fans won't post on OUR message boards so enthusiastically anymore. Stienberg nailed it in his Bog post yesterday. Us Wizards fans were truly pioneers in seeing LeTravel for what he really is. Now the rest of the country can join us!

Very little of what Dan Gilbert said is untrue; unfortunately, the same could be said about Dan. Who created this mess and circus??? Idiot owners like Dan and his buddies. The folks who are hurt buy this silly circus of superstar athletes who act like spoiled brats are the fans and the other eight players on each NBA team who are now going to play for minimum salaries to accommodate these spoiled children. I wonder why the NBA players association decided to support the minority of superstars over the much larger majority of the other players?? Are the other players that stupid that they can't see how this is hurting their paychecks??? Last is Kobe; he must be wondering what is wrong with this bizzaro world where he has FIVE rings and Lebron is the king with all of the hype with a grand total of ZERO rings. Absolutely amazing! Losers win and winners lose. Is Lebron's mom going with him???

The one-hour announcement special made James look like an ego-maniac. The person who came up with that idea (and I'm assuming it wasn't James himself) should be summarily dismissed from James' "inner circle." And he should have contacted the owner or GM of each team that recruited him personally, especially Gilbert, and informed them of his decision and his reasons before the announcement. If they could take the time and expense to fly out to Cleveland to recruit him, the least he could have done would be to afford them the courtesy of a personal response.

Posted by: rufus_t_firefly | July 9, 2010 9:17 AM | Report abuse

just heard on 106.7 Tha Junkies that JIm Gray actually approached Lebron's point man;Maverick Carter, and pitched the "Lebronathon" during game 2 of the Finals. I dunno how much truth there is to that, but it does make sense, with ESPN standing to generate serious ratings and revenue because of the special .

"What Dan Gilbert said was refreshingly honest and I wish more owners were like him."

I'm tired of hearing this statement.

Gilbert said this POST-lebron Exodus. that doesn't make it HONEST, if he was a real man with standards and morals, he would've made his thoughts known prior to this entire freak show. Gilbert is as much a coward for saying this AFTER the fact, when he had NOTHING to lose.

Very little of what Dan Gilbert said is untrue; unfortunately, the same could be said about Dan. Who created this mess and circus??? Idiot owners like Dan and his buddies. The folks who are hurt buy this silly circus of superstar athletes who act like spoiled brats are the fans and the other eight players on each NBA team who are now going to play for minimum salaries to accommodate these spoiled children. I wonder why the NBA players association decided to support the minority of superstars over the much larger majority of the other players?? Are the other players that stupid that they can't see how this is hurting their paychecks??? Last is Kobe; he must be wondering what is wrong with this bizzaro world where he has FIVE rings and Lebron is the king with all of the hype with a grand total of ZERO rings. Absolutely amazing! Losers win and winners lose. Is Lebron's mom going with him???

Posted by: Phillip258 | July 9, 2010 9:27 AM | Report abuse

the personal attacks on LBJ were kinda low for a guy who was just throwing $100mil at Bron Bron. It's really comical to hear Gilbert talk that way after He hung "witness"posters on buildings, and after the city filmed a "WE are Lebron" video. I doubt anybody felt that way about him before he made his career choice, so why act like the spurned ex-girlfriend? "we had a good thing it ran it's course, maybe we outgrew eachother, I don't know but i gotta move on." yeah............. i guess you do usually get a tire or two flattened for that. You go girl (gilbert)

Lebron James is a quitter, he is a coward, he absolutely tanked the playoffs last year dreaming of this day, and he's a narcissitic egomanical jack-hole who used a national tv special to have his butt kissed for one hour while publicly dumping an entire fanbase without the slightest bit of remorse.

Lebron James is the Kanye West of the NBA. That being said, Dan Gilbert is a huge part of why he is who he is today. His website comments are nothing more than a jilted lover in the heat of passion. However, it would amuse me to no end if Lebron James never won an NBA title.

"How can anyone predict anything when they have what 4 players? Well 7 with the 3 2nd round picks?Posted by: SDMDTSU"

You can't 'predict', really, except on the basis of so-called comparables, other teams that have added at least one superstar to two others and how the club did in subsequent seasons -- which is like pricing your house based on recent sales in the general area (a method that works pretty well for realtors).

You could certainly argue, for instance, that the assemblage of talent on the 2004 Lakers was far deeper than this club can hope to be. That roster had Kobe at 25, Shaq at 31, and Derek Fisher at 28, plus a geriatric All-Star team including Gary Payton (36), Karl Malone (39), Horace Grant (38), and Ricky Fox (34). Shaq is way beyond Bosh, of course, and Kobe was the equal of either Wade or James, but not both. Payton was still a terrific player, comparable to say, Ray Allen, but no longer what he had been.

The prediction of 61+ wins is flawed because it's based on the individual impact of three stars on teams that were notable for their lack of other stars. Now they're going to have to share the ball and play together with a collection of spear-carriers who will probably turn out to be far inferior to what those Lakers had. Still, they should win a whole lot of games, and give NBA fans a team to hate the way everybody once hated the Yanks.

Meanwhile, maybe the Nets, Bulls, Knicks, or Clippers would like to take on a very reliable former superstar named Gilbert Arenas. One of those states have relaxed gun laws?

Dan Gilbert needs to realize it wasn't Drew Gooden or Delonte "three guns in my motorcycle" West that was putting 20,000 plus people in the seats 41+ times a year.

Good for him for standing up for his franchise. A little vindictive yes, but also refreshing.

Oh, and Mr. Gilbert...You want to talk about LBJ quitting? How about that game where he pumped in his teams final 25 points, including the game winner, when his team was down 2-0 in the playoffs against (at the time) probably the best defensive team in the league? Did you forget about that?

Let's see, the Heat has Wade, Bosch, James and who else? They will be playing 5 on 3 most games. The irony is that they still will not sell out games there. Miami has too many other diversions than to pay ridiculous prices to watch over grown children run around in their shorts. Why is it that these players and owners think the public should be willing to spend the huge amount of money to see them? I only go to baseball games now because all other sports have just gotten absurd in the money it costs to see a game. I have not paid for a ticket to see any other sport in 30 years and my record will remain intact.

Gilbert needs to put the cognac away and figure out how to camouflage the roughly 12,000 empty seats that will otherwise be on clear display for every Cavalier home game this season. Gilbert's heart isn't broken. His wallet is.

Posted by: and_1

dan gilbert was a sniveling coward for five years around lebron. now he gets a backbone and calls lebron the coward when he is gone? what a hilarious, sad hypocrite.

The problem is not he chose to leave, the problem is how he does it. This is like firing someone with a public announcement without the courtesy to talk it face-to-face first. When most players expected such courtesy from their employer, it should go both ways.

FREE AGENT . . .means just that, he is free to negotiate the best deal for him, not a particular county, city or state. For that matter if he wanted to play abroad, he's free to do that as well. When a team is ready to trade a player do you think you have a choice in the matter? Heck no!! The chattel goes to the owner who negotiates the best deal. . . thats professional sports folks!

My guess is that Dallas realized that it was a mistake to sit/bench Haywood as a starter for Dampier.

How many stretch of games did they win with Haywood as the starter before then benching him for Dampier once he got heatlhy.

With Dampier back they became the same old Mavs and got booted.

What I have been saying about Haywood all these years is that he isn't a dominant NBA center with big stat numbers, he has decent stat number but his forte is that he knows how to play the center position and he adds team play, cohesion, and chemistry not always shown by stats.

As indicative when he was the starter for the Mavs they had there best run of the season.

Looking back the Mavs probably realized this and tendered him that 55 mil contract.

And I know you are keenly aware that other teams also showed interest in signing Haywood as there starting center.

Lerbon knew for sure he wasnt staying in Cleveland at least by the time Bosh told him he'd never sign there. He could have let the Cavs know then at least, instead of dragging the team and fanbase through his ego tripping circus culminating in jumping on the miami bandwagon as Cavs people held out hope til the last second only to be crushed on national tv.

And yes, he has every right to do what he wants and good for him.

But he really miscalculated here, average sports fans want to see him fail now. He's now the most disliked big star in the game, and put himself in Wade's shadow whether he realizes it yet or not.

At any rate, we'll get to see the trio run roughshod over us for years....oh joy

porshcetd wrote:
What Dan Gilbert said was refreshingly honest and I wish more owners were like him. Sportswriters have too long protected LeBron James and the NBA

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This guy is degenerate clown and is acting like a women scorned. Just 10 minutes before the announcement, Gilbert would have given his right arm for Lebron to stay. This clown offered, in his words, a loser and quitter 126 million dollars fired his General Manager and Coach, and we are talking about how a 25 year old kid carries himself. Did he show any loyalty to Danny Ferry and Mike Brown. Lebron James sold out his arena for 7 years and made the guy millions of dollars and this is the way he behaves. This is far more classless than anything Lebron has done. I am sick of the back lash against these athletes while the owners treat everyone like a piece of meat and escape public scrutiny. It used to be that we only scorned athletes who behaved improperly. Now we criticize a guy that speaks rationally, behaves well off the court, does not squander his money, and who has helped educate and empower all of his high school friends.

The problem is not he chose to leave, the problem is how he does it. This is like firing someone with a public announcement without the courtesy to talk it face-to-face first. When most players expected such courtesy from their employer, it should go both ways.

Posted by: sagaliba | July 9, 2010 9:52 AM | Report abuse

it's funny how the owners of the colts and browns (original Browns) are still fired up about the way ownership stole their teams in the cover of darkness like thieves in the night.Yet Lebron takes this thing head on and announces and then explains his decision to anyone who cares to watch, and is looked at as some type of coward and now the battle cry goes from "Thief in the Night" to "Public Humiliation" tell me how can you get it right. If Bron Bron woulda had a 10 min press conference people would talk about how cold he was, and how he only took 10 mins to address his fans. If he'da sent out a press release he's be called a coward for not standing up like a man and saying it himself. there's no winning for this guy.

Enough about the Cavs and Heat - what are the Wizards going to do with the big three in their division? I say prison rules when Miami comes to town. What are Rick Mahorn and Jeff Ruland up to these days?

LeBron is a great player, but superstars make the other four players on the court better. Lebron didn't do that. Kobe does that, Magic did it, Michael did it and Bird did it. Basketball is a team sport and folks who understand that (can you say Phil Jackson) win; folks who don't, run up lots of stats and don't... Lebron, Charles, Iverson, etc...

"If Bron Bron woulda had a 10 min press conference people would talk about how cold he was, and how he only took 10 mins to address his fans."

Nah, that's how it's done with class. You inform management, the fans find out, and after a few days you hold a presser and talk about how good your time was but you have to move on. What James did is probably the most egotistical spectacle any athlete's ever dreamed up.

"don't kid yourself. they are going to get good, proven role players to round out the team."

Sure, they'll probably get 2 or 3 vets on the wrong side of 30 looking to hitch a last ride on a title train. But that'll still leave them with 8-10 slots to fill. And given that everyone even passingly associated with the NBA seems 100% certain that there's going to be a lockout after next season, followed by a tighter CBA with smaller/shorter player salaries and possibly a hard cap, this would seem to be the absolute worst time for a GM to try and attract players with a lowball contract pitch.

So after they sign their big 3, they should still have the mid-level to sign one or two players. In addition, I believe they also can use Bird right to sign their own FA (Haslem) exceeding the cap, and fill the rest with minimum salary players.

Players who have already made enough money, but have never won a championship may be willing to sign with them for minimum (a la Gary Payton in 2005).

A roster of LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Miller, Chalmer, Haslem, plus one or two FAs with mid-level, and minimum guys (Jason Willaim?) may not be bad at all!

Between the comic sans font and the random use of "ironic" quotation marks, that Gilbert letter gives of a fantastic "crazy-mad jilted lover drunk dialing and leaving a rambling rant on the ex's answering machine after being dumped" vibe.

The Heat have no mid level exception..they aren't going to "round out" the roster. It's gonna be those 3. Mike Miller is a GREAT pickup for them...and they're gonna hope they stay injury free because they will have no depth. Hell the Lakers already have a better roster. The Bulls arent far behind.

Most of you guys are complete idiots. Lebron do not owe Cleveland anything! Lebron left blood, sweat and tears on the floor for 7 years and now everyong is ripping him for his decision. Now, do you think that Lebron would have this big premiere presentation to only resign with the Cavaliers? These guys never put any real talent around him. He couldn't win in Cleveland and he wants to win and left. Would it have been different if he had signed with the Bulls or the Knicks?

Dan Gilbert is an ABSOLUTE ASS! This is one reason why Lebron left and guess what CLEVELAND fans; He's the reason why you will not be winners. You're blaming Lebron and your management is the obvious issue. No professional athlete will want to play with that guy or organization after that stupid childish rant. Cleveland are full of losers and the fact that the guy had to make a brutal decision to enhance his career, is enough said.

Fans burning jerseys! Really? This is the same state that banned the guy from playing the rest of the regular season of his High School Senior year because he accepted 2 Jerseys from a store. Really? All the other crap that takes place around there and in both collegiate and professional sports, you attempted to tear him down? Now he’s a Jerk when he decides that he wants to be a winner and not continue to play with an absolute idiot owner and dumb organization.

I hope when you decide to leave your company for other reasons, that you will take the same critical approach and proclaim yourself as an idiot, selfish, ignorant ass!

Most of you guys are complete idiots. Lebron do not owe Cleveland anything! Lebron left blood, sweat and tears on the floor for 7 years and now everyong is ripping him for his decision. Now, do you think that Lebron would have this big premiere presentation to only resign with the Cavaliers? These guys never put any real talent around him. He couldn't win in Cleveland and he wants to win and left. Would it have been different if he had signed with the Bulls or the Knicks?

Dan Gilbert is an ABSOLUTE ASS! This is one reason why Lebron left and guess what CLEVELAND fans; He's the reason why you will not be winners. You're blaming Lebron and your management is the obvious issue. No professional athlete will want to play with that guy or organization after that stupid childish rant. Cleveland are full of losers and the fact that the guy had to make a brutal decision to enhance his career, is enough said.

Fans burning jerseys! Really? This is the same state that banned the guy from playing the rest of the regular season of his High School Senior year because he accepted 2 Jerseys from a store. Really? All the other crap that takes place around there and in both collegiate and professional sports, you attempted to tear him down? Now he’s a Jerk when he decides that he wants to be a winner and not continue to play with an absolute idiot owner and dumb organization.

I hope when you decide to leave your company for other reasons, that you will take the same critical approach and proclaim yourself as an idiot, selfish, ignorant ass!

He called them 2 minutes before like I'm leaving. He could've just said he was moving on. He knew he was leaving.

And there is no winning when you pull a hoe move like that.

But eff Cleveland anyway.

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 10:11 AM | Report abuse

That's what the guy who came whith all the namecalling said. you can believe it if you want to. I dunno how it shoulda been done, but i doubt that Cleveland fans woulda accepted it either way. BTW if this is supposed to be some announcement special (as it was pitched to him by JIM Gray of ESPN) why would you tell the team you're leaving. Does Dan Gilbert strike you as the type of guy who woulda kept his mouth shut about this?

The problem is not he chose to leave, the problem is how he does it. This is like firing someone with a public announcement without the courtesy to talk it face-to-face first. When most players expected such courtesy from their employer, it should go both ways.

Well, it seems unlikely the Heat are paying Miller $30 mill to come off the bench, which might indicate that Wade will be running the point for Miami next season.

"So after they sign their big 3, they should still have the mid-level to sign one or two players. In addition, I believe they also can use Bird right to sign their own FA (Haslem) exceeding the cap, and fill the rest with minimum salary players.

Nope. The MLE is only available to teams over the cap. They aren't eligible to use the MLE because they were under the cap when the new cap figure was set a couple of days ago. And they had to renounce the rights to all of their FAs to free up the cap space for the 3 max deals, so they no longer have any of their Bird rights.

LeBron is a great player, but superstars make the other four players on the court better. Lebron didn't do that. Kobe does that, Magic did it, Michael did it and Bird did it. Basketball is a team sport and folks who understand that (can you say Phil Jackson) win; folks who don't, run up lots of stats and don't... Lebron, Charles, Iverson, etc...

Posted by: Phillip258

did you notice a recurring theme with the "superstars" and the "losers" you listed? the "superstars" had at least one (and sometimes multiple) sure-fire, in-his prime hall of fame player on his team to help him win that elusive first championship. the "losers" did not. julius erving was considered a "loser" too until he got moses malone on his team. sheesh!

Obviously I don't know all of the back channel details of this but Gilbert's comments are just way over-the-top. He's clearly, in part, trying to deflect criticism away from him and solely onto James.

Maybe he has merit in his statements but this isn't the way to respond. After all of the heat (no pun intended) dies away from this, he has to put a product on the floor. And this isn't helping him do that.

Speaking of bad nights, Michael Wilbon last night was flat out embarassing. He had nothing to say and when he said something it was cliched and unoriginal and boring. That was the worst I've ever seen him perform. Terrible.

As long as you accept that it's just as likely that AJ drops 40 on Blatche. I love how people are also automatically assuming the Wiz are gonna walk all over Cleveland, who, btw I think are now more under the cap than the Wiz are.

Posted by: ts35 | July 9, 2010 12:43 AM

AJs on his last legs, love the guy, but AB is going to bury him worse than they say he used to in practice. Payback time.

And can we at least set the bar at the height of the Bronless Cavs? That team is in ruins, we've got the #1 pick, fresh vibes, etc etc. I know it's in poor taste around here to expect anything from this team...but come on, we can be better than Cavs!

Maybe if you read the posts again you would see that most are not knocking his decision for leaving, it is the way he did it and the circus process that he set up to do it let it drag on on for publicity. I think that he and Dan Gilbert should have stay together because they deserve each other. And btw, any high school or college athlete who accepts gifts or bribes and is caught usually is banned for playing the rest of the season

That's what the guy who came whith all the namecalling said. you can believe it if you want to. I dunno how it shoulda been done, but i doubt that Cleveland fans woulda accepted it either way. BTW if this is supposed to be some announcement special (as it was pitched to him by JIM Gray of ESPN) why would you tell the team you're leaving. Does Dan Gilbert strike you as the type of guy who woulda kept his mouth shut about this?

No. His agent let teams know right before the special. That didn't come from Dan Gilbert. It wasn't a damn secret...Stephen A. Smith reported it a week ago...you were a witness to the filming of a reality show. They knew what they were doing the whole time.

How you say "This wasn't my plan...I didn't know it could happen." then say "We all signed contracts of this length to be in this position."

"Speaking of bad nights, Michael Wilbon last night was flat out embarassing. He had nothing to say and when he said something it was cliched and unoriginal and boring. That was the worst I've ever seen him perform. Terrible."

I didn't watch any of last night's circus, but Wilbon has been well into "roll over and play dead" mode for Lebron for a while now on PTI.When the subject of the 1 hour "special" came up a few days ago, Bob Ryan (who I can't stand on PTI) basically calle Lebron as an egomaniac, while Wilbon almost threw his back out bending over backwards for LBJ.

Miller is a perfect fit for those three. Excellent passer, great at moving without the ball, one of the top shooters in the game.

Minnesota gets Beasley for basically nothing. Can't believe we didn't at least consider that. I would've taken him over Yi any day of the week.

Hopefully we can still make that trade with Orlando. Gortat is a good young starting caliber center who would form a nice rotation with McGee. If that happens and we convince Childress to sign with us, I will still be very happy with our offseason.

Looks like Miller might get his wish and become part of Miami Thrice (not sure if I'm sold on that nickname yet)

And Beasley to Minnesota? What the heck are they doing up there? Granted, it is another low/no cost move similar to Yi to the Wiz, but wowsers. What a collection they have going on. And then factor in the impending move of Al Jefferson.

you're en fuego, agree with everything you've been saying...but especially the legacy part. Odd choice for the self-proclaimed King to follow Dwade/Bosh to Miami

Posted by: divi3 | July 9, 2010 10:30 AM | Report abuse

Right...you're the King huh? It's like when you're a kid...get your butt kicked and try to run in the house to get your big brother. Mom shoulda locked the screen door and told him to get back out there.

And another thing about Haywood and the Wiz spending too much to resign him.

The way you treat a person from an organizational point of view can help with the money.

It doesn't always have to be about max money. If the Wizards had always treated Haywood as their #1 center and in reality he really was, his perspective on resigning with an organization that he knew was 100% behind him would be different.

Instead there was always an undercurrent that in his career here in the way he was coached and played that his performance was subpar.

Brendan did not have that perspective.

Coaching/Organization 101 - Always show faith and appreciation in your players and they will perform their best for you.

When you time after time snatch a player from games for lesser players at his position and in crunch time, that may and always will have a negative effect.

The biggest negative effect of all is having to offer a max FA contract to keep an average to good player that knows he can get the money elsewhere.

Dallas just found that out. The Wizards have always made that mistake. Sure, it is a business, but you have to be shrewd 24/7.

And being shrewd also means you must know when to use honey instead of vinegar.

You see Etan Thomas got all that money and he could not outplay Haywood. Haywood had all the incentive in the world to resent Thomas, but that wound festered for years. When the organization offered Thomas all that money instead of pouring vinegar on him and letting him go, they never forsaw the implications it would have on their center play.

Everybody talks about Gilbert's contract but Etan Thomas's contract was a cancer.

And I am not just hashing irrelevant old material for the lessons must be learned in order to turn this team into a championship organization.

You can't just bungle along like you are doing it right when you are not.

Ask BulletFans78.

What big banging tough guy did the Wizards ever bring in to go along with Haywood?

None.

Yet Haywood got the criticism for not being the type of player that he isn't.

You want to know why they never brought in that type of player. It is because they couldn't. Etan Thomas had all the Center money in his contract and he was at best the 12 man on the team.

Is it just coincidence that we finally got a center once Thomas's contract was gone? McGee.

"And then factor in the impending move of Al Jefferson.Posted by: ts35"

They're pretty desperate to move Jefferson. A logical guess would be one of those teams with that extra LeBron cap space going to waste. Al's actually a very productive offensive player but one who turns the ball over once for every assist he makes. He'd be a good Zach Randolph scorer for a team that had a solid big man beside him.

omgwthrotfl: I never called any of those players "losers" - you did that. Only an idiot would call Dr. J, Charles or LeBron losers. Even Mike had to go through what you suggest before he won his championships. LeBron is not a loser, he hasn't learned how to make the others on his team better. His challenge will be even greater in Miami where he better get into the finals almost every year or be accused of underachieving. Basketball is still a team sport as the Lakers and Celtics have shown us and teams who play as teams will continue to win. Great players like LeBron will have to learn that before they can win championships. double sheesh

It doesn't always have to be about max money. If the Wizards had always treated Haywood as their #1 center and in reality he really was, his perspective on resigning with an organization that he knew was 100% behind him would be different.
Posted by: LarryInClintonMD

larry, you're full of it. the mavericks didn't always treat haywood like he was the #1 center on the team and in fact demoted him when dampier got healthy. yet, haywood re-signed with the mavs. why? cuban backed up the brink's armored truck into haywood's driveway and told him everything inside was his. that simple.

The problem is not he chose to leave, the problem is how he does it. This is like firing someone with a public announcement without the courtesy to talk it face-to-face first. When most players expected such courtesy from their employer, it should go both ways.

Posted by: sagaliba | July 9, 2010 9:52 AM | Report abuse

Do you mean the way Abe screwed MJ?

Most people on here applauded Abe for that?

Posted by: bulletsfan78

Abe did it face-to-face, behind closed doors. Hence the MJ coming out, getting in his car and peeling out.

what backs up your assertion that lebron isn't a team player or hasn't learned how to make others better? if anything, he's accused of being too unselfish, given the talent of the players around him. i think he's a team player and have seen nothing on the court to suggest otherwise. i would add that it's a lot easier to make gasol, odom, bynum and artest "better" than it is to make williams, jamison, west and fat shaq.

larry, you're full of it. the mavericks didn't always treat haywood like he was the #1 center on the team and in fact demoted him when dampier got healthy. yet, haywood re-signed with the mavs. why? cuban backed up the brink's armored truck into haywood's driveway and told him everything inside was his. that simple.

I don't know if you could say that Abe Pollin screwed Michael Jordan. More like they wound up screwing each other.

Was it good for you too, Mike?

Jordan was probably the laziest management person in NBA history. He wound up playing in part because he had no idea how to do the other parts of his 'job'. I understand he's better now in Charlotte, but if Larry Brown leaves, watch out, Bobcats fans.

Pollin was Pollin -- meaning he was in it for what he could get out of it. Unless your name was Unseld, you couldn't count on Abe.

Abe probably did Michael a favor by firing him. First time in memory anyone had said no to Michael, and it was long overdue. Took a tough guy to do it, and that's the same Abe Pollin that folks around here insist was gulled and manipulated by Ernie Grunfeld into signing Gilbert and Antawn.

you're en fuego, agree with everything you've been saying...but especially the legacy part. Odd choice for the self-proclaimed King to follow Dwade/Bosh to Miami

Posted by: divi3 | July 9, 2010 10:30 AM | Report abuse

Right...you're the King huh? It's like when you're a kid...get your butt kicked and try to run in the house to get your big brother. Mom shoulda locked the screen door and told him to get back out there.

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 10:36 AM | Report abuse

so he shoulda stayed with Cleveland, kept racking up NBA MVP trophies and losing in the playoffs. He took the opportunity to play alongside two All-Stars. furthermore two guys that avg 20+ per game. In his playoff series against BOS there was never a game where he and 2 teamates went for 20 or better. He went to the place with the best chance to win. it's not his fault Magic,and Kobe were drafted onto teams with Hall of Famers, or that Chicago used the Draft and FA to bring talent like Scottie,HoGrant,Kukoc,Rodman to Mike. You say he has no legacy now. he already has a legacy. 7 yrs in he's arguably the best player in the game. He "followed" Wade and Bosh to MIA cuz Gilbert and Ferry couldn't bring those guys to Cleveland.

AJs on his last legs, love the guy, but AB is going to bury him worse than they say he used to in practice. Payback time.

And can we at least set the bar at the height of the Bronless Cavs? That team is in ruins, we've got the #1 pick, fresh vibes, etc etc. I know it's in poor taste around here to expect anything from this team...but come on, we can be better than Cavs!

Posted by: divi3

There's no question we're in a better place right now than the Cavs. But this year, I don't know yet if we will be better than they are. Should be. But no guarantees. And if we are, it's not like we're going to be 20 or 30 games better than they are. Especially if Dan Gilbert decides to use his cap space on vets this year and the Wiz don't.

As for AJ vs AB, I'm saying it won't come down to that. First of all, since as of right now, AB is our only low-post player, why would they guard him with their worst low-post defender? Much more likely he would see a steady diet of Varejao and Hickson. He should still be able to score on those guys, but not quite are easily as dropping 40 on AJ. Also, AB may school Aj on the low-box, but he's not exactly an awesome defender at this point in his career.

Kind of also depends at least a bit on how well AB comes back from foot surgery, doesn't it?

I actually felt a little sorry for Cleveland until I read his letter. Geesh .. another owner that needs a "handler". What an idiot.

I'm going to enjoy watching Cleveland go down in flames. I'm no Lebron fan, but lack of class in the owner's misguided words now makes Lebron look like the good guy.

It's the equivalent of the ugly dude getting dumped and then trashing his ex hot girlfriend. Hey dude, you ain't going to be dating the prom queen next so don't brag about it. It makes you look stupid and you're embarrassing your city.

Because until it comes out of his mouth...what is he going to do? Rip him ahead of time? Then it's LeBron left because of Gilbert. Especially since he couldn't say I won't be returning to Cleveland.

Gilbert doesn't come off as surprised. He comes off pissed off. Like everyone said... "There's noway he holds an hour special...and leaves Cleveland."

The move doesn't make sense. The special just made it worse.

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 11:05 AM | Report abuse

i still think people wuld consider it cold and callous of him to put out a press release or have a short soundbyte. people have been anticipating this move for the past 2 seasons. Teams have been tanking it and dumping salary since '08 looking forward to "The Summer of Lebron". this thing may have culminated in a 1 hour special, but it's been talked about for 2 yrs. Anytime LBJ wore a different HAT
or came out with a different shoe colorway or went to a sporting event, it had something to do with his decision. How can yall trip about 1 hour when it's been going on for 2 yrs?

I didn't watch any of last night's circus, but Wilbon has been well into "roll over and play dead" mode for Lebron for a while now on PTI.When the subject of the 1 hour "special" came up a few days ago, Bob Ryan (who I can't stand on PTI) basically calle Lebron as an egomaniac, while Wilbon almost threw his back out bending over backwards for LBJ.

Posted by: kalo_rama

The absolute WORST last night was Stuart Scott who - in the farcical "prelude" to "The Decision" kept saying "The King will be here any second....The King will announce his decision just moments away" etc. Lebron is The King of NOTHING.

It's the equivalent of the ugly dude getting dumped and then trashing his ex hot girlfriend. Hey dude, you ain't going to be dating the prom queen next so don't brag about it. It makes you look stupid and you're embarrassing your city.

Sure, they'll probably get 2 or 3 vets on the wrong side of 30 looking to hitch a last ride on a title train. But that'll still leave them with 8-10 slots to fill.

Posted by: kalo_rama

They also have 4 second rounders, 3 of whom should be able to contribute this year in Pittman (big body), Varnado (long defender) and Latavious Williams (athlete). Plus, if Butler comes back healthy next year, he could be a steal.

None of those guys will blow your doors off, certainly, but playing with LeBron, Wade and Bosh does make the game simpler for whoever else is on the floor with them. They can get away with guys who only have one or two legit NBA skills.

In addition to Miller and Chalmers, they definitely do need at least 2 more vets, preferably big bodies. But it sounds like even you admit that that should be doable. Haslem makes sense if he's willing to come back for the vet minimum. I'm sure there are guys out there like Olberto who'd be willing to sign on.

It definitely does not guarantee them a title. But they should be able to cobble together a legit roster.

If Lebron had left for Miami under these same terms and gotten paid less, we would all have talked about how unselfish he was had he:

1. tried harder in some of the inexplicable meltdowns against Boston earlier this year and
2. been classier with his announcement and not gone on national TV without letting Cleveland know first. The whole show was a sad case of self-promotion, when he doesn't need any (although I am glad that some money is going to charity).

He needs some serious mentoring. Good luck to him, and I now I want Jamison back!

Gilbert's rant was honest but not very smart considering he's now stuck with rebuilding an aging team with a couple of bloated contracts (Moe Williams, Antwan Jamison) and little young talent besides JJ Hickson. Chances are that the Cavs will be back in the lottery next year as all of the major FA's have been signed and none appeared to have an interest in joining the King in Cleveland.

Should LeBron has told Gilbert in advance of the announcement that he wasn't returning to Cleveland? Yes, but that wasn't going to have changed the impact on the franchise or Cleveland. I'm not a LeBron fan and think that his desire to play with D. Wade and Chris Bosh is more about the fact that he hasn't been able to win a championship in Cleveland regardless of who they have acquired. Unlike Kobe, LeBron doesn't want to be the lead man on a championship contender. In L.A., there is a clearcut leader with Gasol as the No. 2 guy.

I think James is a clown, but I can't see any reason to fault him for leaving Cleveland. They weren't getting it done as far as building a contending team. And while I can understand Dan Gilbert's ire, he's a major league hypocrite for pointing the finger of disloyalty at James just a few weeks after making Mike Brown and Danny Ferry walk the gangplank.

As for how Lebron left . . . really, who cares? I can't imagine anyone is still surprised anymore when a big-time pro athlete engages in self-absorbed public spectacle. Ultimately it didn't matter how he did it, he was going to be vilified in Cleveland for leaving, period.

so he shoulda stayed with Cleveland, kept racking up NBA MVP trophies and losing in the playoffs. He took the opportunity to play alongside two All-Stars. furthermore two guys that avg 20+ per game. In his playoff series against BOS there was never a game where he and 2 teamates went for 20 or better. He went to the place with the best chance to win. it's not his fault Magic,and Kobe were drafted onto teams with Hall of Famers, or that Chicago used the Draft and FA to bring talent like Scottie,HoGrant,Kukoc,Rodman to Mike. You say he has no legacy now. he already has a legacy. 7 yrs in he's arguably the best player in the game. He "followed" Wade and Bosh to MIA cuz Gilbert and Ferry couldn't bring those guys to Cleveland.

Posted by: lilhollywood10 | July 9, 2010 11:04 AM | Report abuse

Yeah none of that blame falls on LeBron though? Who made him turn the ball over 9 times in game 6? 7 times in game 4? They were good enough to have the best record...no excuses. Finish the job.

They were good enough for you to snap pictures and pose while you were winning and dance around while you ran through the league...but when you don't win..."he has no help"

You act like LeBron is on a CBA team. HE SIGNED OFF ON THE MOVES.

Save the stat conversation...as much as you like to rip AJ for "getting numbers that dont mean anything"

Maybe LeBron's got some of that in him to.
Mike didn't always have the most talented team. He just wouldn't lose. Period.

Lebron indicated he took his mother's advice. While it's not nice to knock on someone's mother, isn't this the same mother who was hooking up with pistol toting, screwed up, engaged Delonte West? Seems like momma does not have the best decision making skills.

i still think people wuld consider it cold and callous of him to put out a press release or have a short soundbyte. people have been anticipating this move for the past 2 seasons. Teams have been tanking it and dumping salary since '08 looking forward to "The Summer of Lebron". this thing may have culminated in a 1 hour special, but it's been talked about for 2 yrs. Anytime LBJ wore a different HAT
or came out with a different shoe colorway or went to a sporting event, it had something to do with his decision. How can yall trip about 1 hour when it's been going on for 2 yrs?

The media did that for two years. LeBron decided to hold a special all about me...to show HIS vitamin water commercial at every break, his McDonald's commercial. It's a big difference.

It's like an actress getting her picture taken while out...or letting papparazzi know where she's gonna be...to get her picture taken...bit difference.

Ah, the bitter owner.
The same guy who traded Z last season to the Wizards - after Z had worked for him for 10+ years through it all, be4 LeBron when they were bad, etc. The OWNER allowed Z to be traded (and to return).

Loyalty?
Did the owner show Z loyalty?

I must have worked for this leader be4 myself. The irony of HIM now claiming that HE was wronged after making a ton of $ off of LeBron.

Cleveland has nothing else - hum; DC lost a whole team twice! Anyway who walks around with their some 'legacy' on their minds! n one I hope; not even my man KB in L.A. or MJ these 2 vain souls; yeah people they mention legacy but c'mon when the cameras are gone they don't give a hoot. It’s the entertainment biz

Cleveland has nothing else - hum; DC lost a whole team twice! Anyway who walks around with their some 'legacy' on their minds! n one I hope; not even my man KB in L.A. or MJ these 2 vain souls; yeah people they mention legacy but c'mon when the cameras are gone they don't give a hoot. It’s the entertainment biz

"They also have 4 second rounders, 3 of whom should be able to contribute this year in Pittman (big body), Varnado (long defender) and Latavious Williams (athlete). Plus, if Butler comes back healthy next year, he could be a steal."

When was the last time a team won a title counting on 3 second round rookies as the core of their support behind the stars? And it's telling that all of your parentheticals described physical assets as opposed to basketball skills.

Anything less than yearly contention and multiple championships and this thing is a bust. They've got 5 years. If they don't hit the ground running, it won't take long for the doubts and dissension to creep in. It's going to take more than a couple of raw late draft rookies being able to "contribute."

"It definitely does not guarantee them a title. But they should be able to cobble together a legit roster."

"Legit" is not "contending." It's not like I said they wouldn't be able to fill out the roster with NBA caliber players. I don't think they have the resources to put together the talent needed to advance a title push behind those three, at least not this season. Nothing in your description of the players you think they can get changes my view on that.

lil- no one is faulting him for leaving Cleveland, makes sense he did, though he was the GM of that team and it's disingenuous to act like they didnt do enough for him to win. He ok'd/wanted Shaq, and he wanted AJ over Amare. But whatever, they knew he was an FA and took their chances, now they are left with the mess.

It's 110% the way he left and the ego circus he created for himself when he hasnt won anything that sours people on him. If/when that Heat team wins, guarantee you DWade is perceived as the top dog and the guy who put it all together despite Bron being the better player.

I'm sorry, but if you've been employed by a man that has paid you in excess of $100 million over the course of your career and who has bent over backwards to your every wish over that period of time, you'd better damn well have the decency to talk to that man face-to-face and inform him of your future intentions.

Anything else is an act of cowardice to the Nth degree. Adding to that the shameless exploitation of your colleagues' and so-called fans' hopes with an hour-long special on how you're leaving them is unacceptable in the purest sense.

The way Gilbert responded was equally as inappropriate, but his response does not justify Lebron's actions in the first place.

Every report was that Lebron preferred staying in Cleveland and tried to recruit Bosh to Cleveland. Bosh told him empatically that he would follow Lebron to Chicago, New York or Miami, but no way would he come to Cleveland. The Cavaliers had Carlos Boozer and the ownership would not pay him even after he had a breakout season. If they had manned up and kept Boozer we probably would not be having these discussions. Lebron could have left earlier and he signed a 3 year contract to leave his options open. Dan Gilbert is a big time clown. How much loyalty did he show Mike Brown and Danny Ferry.

I guess Dan Gilbert doesn't have to worry about getting any dinner invitation from any of the other NBA team owners, and he wont' have to worry about any college grads looking to Cleveland as a place to get started in the NBA either.

Labron James has every right to pursue his career anywhere he wants, and it is really sickening to learn that James had such a classless FORMER leader.

To me, Gilbert and the Cleveland fans have a valid point. Lebron basically took 3 playoff games off.....his play was uncharacteristically bad. Three of those losses were Lebron's fault. However, he cited the lack of playoff wins as his reason for leaving. Those games were lost by Lebron's unwillingness to win.....plain and simple. I think is would have been more stand-up of Lebron to say he wants to plays in Miami than to say the Cavs weren't committed to winning.

I think this Heat team is going to run into the law of diminishing returns. There are only so many minutes, shots, etc to go around and to a certain extent these guys have to diminish each other. The very fact of all 3 of them on the floor means none of them will be as dominant as they were separately. Not that it cant work, but it's hardly an open-shut case they are going to win. The Achilles will be that Bosh plays away from the basket and their salary situation will preclude them from having any meaningful interior bigs.

Maybe Bosh changes his game, who knows. But I dont see why teams like Orlando, Chicago, and Atlanta cant realistically believe they can exploit Miami

Unfortunately, I think LeBron James is looking to cement his legacy in the Basketball Hall of Fame with this decision. I sincerely hope that LeBron James fails miserably in his quest. I look at players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, David Robinson, and Tim Duncan as players that stayed with their teams through thick and thin as those eligible for Hall of Fame consideration. LeBron James has shown how totally selfish he is. It may be about playing with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch,but in the end it all boils down to trying to cement his legacy. The only legacy I see him cementing is his self-centered, narcissistic, selfish self!

Cleveland and the state of Ohio has a right to be angry. They are losing a money making and job creating factory like the Lakers in L.A. But the rest of the world? Ridiculous.
1. Professional sports are a monopoly. They control millions of dollars. They are like the oil companies. Players are their petroleum. Loss of product means loss of income. That's what Curt Flood's suit was all about in baseball years ago.
2. Lebron has a right to do as he pleases. It's a free country and he is NOT a slave or serf. If people live and die in their fantasies because Lebron or Kobe or whomever goes somewhere else, they need to get a life. Other than economics for Cleveland, so what?
3. Most of the country is more concerned about the oil spill runiing the Gulf Coast, the war, the loss of jobs nation wide to care about Lebron. He may be a villan in some parts of the country but he is a hero in South Florida.
4. Enough of this blather. We're adding to the problem of global warming.

Save the stat conversation...as much as you like to rip AJ for "getting numbers that dont mean anything"

Maybe LeBron's got some of that in him to.
Mike didn't always have the most talented team. He just wouldn't lose. Period.

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 11:22 AM | Report abuse

talk that AJ crap when he wins back to back MVPs. If you wanna throw blame you can throw it all over that roster. you wanna nit pick the turnovers in game six, i'd rather focus on the 9 NBA players that failed to reach double figures in an elimination game;the same game where Bron went for the triple dip.
Please stop saying he hasn't won anything, and in the same post talk about expectations due to regular season records. Do league MVPs count as something? How bout Eastern conference finals? All star game MVPs? Jeez people want Melo and Durant, what have they won?
Last week all folks would talk about is how you have to win a ring. So my man goes to a situation that anyone can see gives hima better chance at a ring and you crucify him for it.

Maybe LeBron's got some of that in him to.
Mike didn't always have the most talented team. He just wouldn't lose. Period

The media did that for two years. LeBron decided to hold a special all about me...to show HIS vitamin water commercial at every break, his McDonald's commercial. It's a big difference.

It's like an actress getting her picture taken while out...or letting papparazzi know where she's gonna be...to get her picture taken...bit difference.

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 11:26 AM | Report abuse

maybe you didn't hear about it, but Jim Gray of ESPN approached Maverick Carter about doing a 1 hr special for "The Decision". But this is silly, we're talking about this 14 hrs after it happened, yet somehow you rationalize that it didn't deserve 1 hr of attention yesterday.

Every report was that Lebron preferred staying in Cleveland and tried to recruit Bosh to Cleveland. Bosh told him empatically that he would follow Lebron to Chicago, New York or Miami, but no way would he come to Cleveland.

Posted by: impartial1

Brian Windhorst (something like that) from the Cleveland Plain Dealer was on Mike & Mike this morning and was asked about Lebron wanting to stay and trying to get Bosh to come there. Windhorst said that was all for show - that Lebron never intended to stay - this deal (Wade,Bosh, and James playing together) has been in the works for years. And Windhorst was not being a homer - he was telling it like it is.

The problem is not he chose to leave, the problem is how he does it. This is like firing someone with a public announcement without the courtesy to talk it face-to-face first. When most players expected such courtesy from their employer, it should go both ways.

Posted by: sagaliba

Yes, LeBron certainly should have been more courteous--but then, we're talking about pro ball where little is expected or given in the way of common civility or courtesy.

Certainly the response of the Cavs' majority owner and some of Cleveland's fans demonstrate similar lapses in gentility (as do the "haha, Cleveland had it coming" posts on this board).

Lebron couldn't win in Cleveland with a loser as an owner. One way to get him back is win the owner losses start adding up and he is force to sell the team. Then king james steps in and Cleveland wins.

Yep. LeBron hurts the Cavs by leaving and the dumb owner COMPOUNDS the hurt by sticking his foot in his mouth and looking quite small and petty. That letter smacks of a guy who knows it's going to be awhile before another marquee player stars for that franchise (if ever). The Cavs are mortally wounded and letting everybody know it. Not a good stretegy.

Phillip 258 wrote:
LeBron is a great player, but superstars make the other four players on the court better. Lebron didn't do that. Kobe does that, Magic did it, Michael did it and Bird did it. Basketball is a team sport and folks who understand that (can you say Phil Jackson) win; folks who don't, run up lots of stats and don't... Lebron, Charles, Iverson, etc...

__________________________________________

Your knowledge of basketball is obviously limited. Bird had Kevin Mchale and Rober Parrish from day one. Magic had Kareem and Worthy. Jordan had Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen who by the way were selected 10th and 5th in the NBA draft. Who did Lebron have? They had Carlos Boozer who had a breakout season in Lebron's rookie year and they refused to pay him and let him go to Utah. Lebron made it clear when he extended for 3 years that this would be the window that he gave ownership to build a championship level team. As far as Lebron building up stats, anyone who knows basketball knows that he is one of the most unselfish players in the league. Magic had Jerry West and Pat Riley running the organization and coaching. Bird had Red Auerbach running the organization. Jordan had Phil Jackson coaching. Be realistic man. All indications are that he tried to recruit Chris Bosh to come to Cleveland and Bosh refused. Gilbert is hypocritical enough to talk about loyalty when he canned Danny Ferry and Michael Brown after they won 60 games back to back years.

I'm sorry, but if you've been employed by a man that has paid you in excess of $100 million over the course of your career and who has bent over backwards to your every wish over that period of time, you'd better damn well have the decency to talk to that man face-to-face and inform him of your future intentions.

Anything else is an act of cowardice to the Nth degree. Adding to that the shameless exploitation of your colleagues' and so-called fans' hopes with an hour-long special on how you're leaving them is unacceptable in the purest sense.

The way Gilbert responded was equally as inappropriate, but his response does not justify Lebron's actions in the first place.

Posted by: psps23 | July 9, 2010 11:35 AM | Report abuse

i couldn't care less for a group of fans that has seen their team go deep into playoofs at the expense of my hometeam. I've watched Chris Webber,Rasheed Wallace and Mike Jordan all get shown the door by ownership, sometimes with owners it's not about winning or money and next thing you know you're moving across the country.
I dunno that LBJ has earned anybody's $100 million from the cavs first of all. and second of all you don't ususally quit your job til you have the next on lined up. Hou was still courtimg Bosh, as well as Tor negotiating sign and trades up until 3 days ago with Cle among others. Is it unreasonable to think that this young man making the biggest decision of his personal (can't ever go back to OHIO) and professional life wouldn't think it all the way through. it's Dan Gilbert saying he only found out 2 mins before the announcement. That's his word that he has to stand by. LB hasn't released a statement as to how he dealt with CLE's front office.

I'm sayin he can't win because there will always be something that he didn't do to please someone or something that rubs people the wrong way.

why are the pro sports drafts televised?
why make a weekend long spectacle when they can just release a list of the players picked and by whom on monday morning? it's the pagentry of sports. why do we have high schoolers sit down in front of cameras to announce their college choices? It's about pagentry and building up that next superstar. These events do exist and there's a growing interest in them. Eventhough these children have won nothing at that point in their lives, we watch 3hrs of the NBA draft, a whole weekend of the NFL draft etc. i think they even televise the first few rounds of the baseball draft now. Nobody cares about all the attention shown to athletes who "haven't won anything" until it's the guy you got a bone to pick with.

Hey, people! Wake up! Tuna are being hunted to extinction! 25,000+ old underwater oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico remain unplugged and leak, in aggregate, half-as-much as the now infamous BP blowout! In the Arctic Ocean, huge oceanic methane-hydrate deposits are beginning to dissolve into warmer water! Tropical Rainforest deforestation continues unabated worldwide! In Mexico, drug gangs wage war against the government in an all-out civil war. In Italy, Chinese criminal gangs are slowly gaining the upper hand; in central Italy! The economies of Spain, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and the UK are imploding ....

I can't believe the owner is acting this childish. I mean really, you have the audacity to write a despicable letter because ONE man decides to leave? Yes, he is LeBron. Yes, he is the franchise player. But, let's be real here: LeBron has a right to do whatever he wants. And he feels as though he has a better chance to WIN championships in Miami than to WIN games in Cleveland. I don't blame him. No one else should either.

maybe you didn't hear about it, but Jim Gray of ESPN approached Maverick Carter about doing a 1 hr special for "The Decision". But this is silly, we're talking about this 14 hrs after it happened, yet somehow you rationalize that it didn't deserve 1 hr of attention yesterday.

What Dan Gilbert had to say was to give the fans of Cleveland something to look toward. As far as LeBron James he should have done it the same way the other free agents left their teams. He did not have to make a big deal out of it drag it on as long as he did. If he wanted to go which he said had been in the plans when he signed 3 yrs ago with the other 2 players to make the dream team. Then he should of just went ahead and left instead of having all this go on. Be a man and do what you feel is right but don't slap your team mates, fans, and franchise in the face doing it by going on TV and making the spectacle that he did on ESPN. Just say your moving on and go. And shame on ESPN for allowing this to go on. Cleveland stands by their Sports Teams but it would have went over alot better if he would not of handled it the way he did. Sad yes, some anger yes, but the betrayal that the city and state feels from one of their own now that is sad.Don't worry about the money spent one seating were you just going to see LeBron or the Cavaliers play basketball? So Cleveland stand by your team keeping cheering them on and show Lebron & the Heat that Cleveland still has a good team and the fans are still behind them.

Brian Windhorst (something like that) from the Cleveland Plain Dealer was on Mike & Mike this morning and was asked about Lebron wanting to stay and trying to get Bosh to come there. Windhorst said that was all for show - that Lebron never intended to stay - this deal (Wade,Bosh, and James playing together) has been in the works for years. And Windhorst was not being a homer - he was telling it like it is.

Posted by: Lisa_R | July 9, 2010 11:52 AM | Report abuse
right...........because a writer from the cleveland plain dealer wouldn't dare be a homer the day after lebron left and the wound is fresh. Nah, i'd expect a completely impartial report, especially since he knows "it was all for show" (let me guess, unnamed source) and had been in the works for years (how'd they fly under the radar so long)
Look their free agency was in the works for years, as the all signed similar extensions (except Melo,D'oh), but who wouldn't like to play on a team with a buch of your friends. the league has salary restrictions and trade restrictions to prevent or assist these types of moves. Cleveland couldn't put them together, Miami could. if cle wasn't such a dump maybe the decisions woulda been different. But honestly, who chooses Cleveland over South Beach? Who's going to Cleveland for memorial day weekend? winter in MIA vs winter in OHIO, not contest, and even it it were a contest,LBJ has spent 25+winters in OHIO he's earned the right to some fun in the sun.

In professional sports, there is a time to be team-oriented and a time to be "selfish." When an athlete is under contract and actually a member of a team, all of his/her efforts should go toward accomplishing team goals. But contract time is a time for the athlete to look out for his/her best interests and those of his/her family. I guarrantee you that the owners are pursuing their own best interests at such times, not those of the athlete or even necessarily of his/her teammates. The athlete should do the same.

talk that AJ crap when he wins back to back MVPs. If you wanna throw blame you can throw it all over that roster. you wanna nit pick the turnovers in game six, i'd rather focus on the 9 NBA players that failed to reach double figures in an elimination game;the same game where Bron went for the triple dip.

LeBron said you play to win championships...so MVPs shouldn't matter. 9 players didn't score in double figures? 2 of them didn't play. Parker took 4 shots. Or you can talk about his 3-14 stinkbomb at home. They all share the blame. LeBron being the captain...and the leader...should take it first...instead of pointing at "everybody else"

Please stop saying he hasn't won anything, and in the same post talk about expectations due to regular season records. Do league MVPs count as something? How bout Eastern conference finals? All star game MVPs? Jeez people want Melo and Durant, what have they won?

They don't walk around calling themselves the King either. Expectations? If you're the 2-time regining MVP on the team with the best record in the league....what should the expectations be? TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP. Melo and Durant aren't on teams like that. Stop making excuses. All-Star MVPs? Come on man...

Last week all folks would talk about is how you have to win a ring. So my man goes to a situation that anyone can see gives hima better chance at a ring and you crucify him for it.

Because he tucked and ran...you have to earn it. Jordan lost how many times before he got there? He didn't tuck and run from a WINNING situation to another guys team to try to be Scottie Pippen. He got better until he got it done. Yeah Jordan lost his first 7 years...as the team built up. He didn't run away.

He is a cry baby. Lebron didn't owe him or anyone else anything. He took less money to be w/ another team.... hmmmm I wonder why. Dan basically cried like a baby in front of the world. What he's really upset about is loosing the tens of millions that he received from ads, ticket sales, tv time, etc... If Lebron really quit, why would you want him back on your team. Why would you agree to pay him the most money possible to get him to come back? Doesn't make any sense. After bashing a player like this, how will he expect to get any decent player to play for him now. He killed himself and Cleveland.

And can we at least set the bar at the height of the Bronless Cavs? That team is in ruins, we've got the #1 pick, fresh vibes, etc etc. I know it's in poor taste around here to expect anything from this team...but come on, we can be better than Cavs!

Posted by: divi3 | July 9, 2010 10:20 AM | Report abuse

I am just pissed that this means Clevelansd will be one more team with more ping pong balls in the hopper than the Wiz come next Spring.

I was hoping our 30 win team would at least be able to get us a top 5 pick.

With a decimated NY team, Cleveland team, NJ not appreciably better (except as their players are maturing) Atlanta hamstrung by JJ's contract, the 'cats not improving (and G Wallace always being one leap away from sprung back), Philly possibly worse this year than last, Toronto declining, Detroit sitting still...It looks like the Wiz have a 50/50 chance at making the playoffs, not because they are good, but because with all the talent in the East going to one team, there are actually fewer competitive teams than a year ago.

Cleveland sounds like the person who begs their girl/boyfriend not to leave them and when they do leave the person then says, You aren't worthy of me!!! What a joke!!! They made the dude this way by treating him like a "King", now they want to bash him because he said bye bye!!

"it would have went over alot better if he would not of handled it the way he did."

A lot better? I doubt it. As Donald Trump once said, no matter how you tell someone that they're fired, in the end, that's what they are, fired, and they're going to feel lousy about it. Agreed, though, that he should have just made a simple announcement instead of this one-hour "Decision" garbage.

If Dan Gilberts truly believe ANY of what he said, then why be upset that LBJ has left. Would an employer want a "quitter", someone that "tanks". I am sure LBJ cant wait to return to Cleveland and run up 50 on his former employer.

I am not a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, a Lebron James fan, or a Miami heat fan, so I have no dog in this fight.

I am a huge NBA fan, and could not let Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert’s comments pass without contributing my two cents. His comments were unnecessary, childish, and classless.

I understand that Gilbert’s loyalties are to his team and their fans. I understand he now has to try to fill an arena with people who are much less likely to come to a basketball game without (arguably) the best player in the game. I understand his team has basically had its value cut in half, and that he may be speaking for many Cavs’ fans who are disappointed in James’ decision to leave the team and play in Miami.

His promise to bring Cleveland fans a championship before James gets one in Miami is just foolish. But to call James’ departure a “cowardly betrayal,” an “act of disloyalty,” and a “heartless and callous action” is over the line.

Gilbert has since said that James quit on his team in the playoffs. "Go back and look at the tape," Gilbert said. "How many shots did he take?"

I’ve been watching the NBA for more than 30 years, and what I saw was a suffocating Boston Celtics defense that would not allow James (or Dwight Howard, for that matter) to do what he has done successfully the past two years during the regular season…dominate. Does James have the steely resolve of (arguably) the best player in the game, Kobe Bryant? No. Does James continue to jack up shots when he’s double and triple-teamed the way Kobe does? No. But does that mean he quit on his team? Not in my book.

There is something to be said for a star athlete playing his entire career with his hometown team and trying to win it all. I’ve lived my entire life in Maryland, where there is no better example of this than Cal Ripken, Jr., who won tons of individual awards, led the Baltimore Orioles to a World Series victory, and is a pillar of the community. But this is a rarity, and in today’s world of professional sports, especially the NBA, one superstar does not win championships.

Let’s not forget that Kobe Bryant is just a few years removed from demanding a trade from the Lakers if he didn’t get help. The front office conceded and acquired Pau Gasol, and the Lakers made three straight Finals appearances and won back-to-back championships. Who did Gilbert and the Cavs’ front office get to help Lebron? An aging Shaquille O’Neal? Antawn Jamison? Maybe Gilbert is lashing out to hide the fact that he and his staff didn’t do what the Lakers, and now, the Heat have done…surround their superstars with the right supporting cast to put them in a position to win.

Gilbert also said after Lebron’s announcement, “Tonight we saw who he really is.” After this rant, I think the same can be said of Gilbert.

I applaud Lebron for taking the high road and not responding to Gilbert’s comments. But with Gilbert lashing out this way it makes Lebron’s decision to leave much more understandable.

.It looks like the Wiz have a 50/50 chance at making the playoffs, not because they are good, but because with all the talent in the East going to one team, there are actually fewer competitive teams than a year ago.

Posted by: Blurred | July 9, 2010 12:32 PM

Preach it! The East is all kinds of terrible, if we have some kind of core here now and a legit coach....we should be able to win some games, though our division will hammer us.

We have 3 1st round picks and a bunch of young players....not sure just how much more talent people expect to acquire 2yrs from now. If this team is going to be legit in 2yrs (5th seed-ish), most of the major pieces contributing to that are already on the roster.

Q. What's this about Cleveland curses?
A. No Cleveland pro team whether basketball, baseball or football has won a league title since 1964.

Q. What about a Washington curse?
A. Kornheiser trying to be funny calling the Washington D.C. basketball team a round metal French object that is constantly hurt by its own players or management.

Q. Who is Kornheiser?
A. A screaming meemie former Washington Post sports reporter/columnist who after years of fooling his Post editor, scammed various sports networks into hiring him to argue with Mike Wilbon on TV. I actually think he's entertaining.

If LeBron hadn't done this with a 1 Hr. ESPN spectacle, then Gilbert and the people of Cleveland would not have been so mad. Think about it. What if your wife/girlfriend broke up with you in front of every one in your neighborhood? You would be p i s s e d! However if she broke up with you in the privacy of your own home you would still be hurt, but maybe not as mad.

James had the right to go where ever he wished. It was bush league to play up the decision on ESPN. The show on TV is a perfect example of what is wrong with the NBA, spoiled, narcissistic "stars" who want to play one on one versus inferior teams. If James wants to win all the time perhaps he should join the Globetrotters.

Please stop saying he hasn't won anything, and in the same post talk about expectations due to regular season records. Do league MVPs count as something? How bout Eastern conference finals? All star game MVPs? Jeez people want Melo and Durant, what have they won?

They don't walk around calling themselves the King either. Expectations? If you're the 2-time regining MVP on the team with the best record in the league....what should the expectations be? TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP. Melo and Durant aren't on teams like that. Stop making excuses. All-Star MVPs? Come on man...

Posted by: SDMDTSU | July 9, 2010 12:27 PM | Report abuse

no excuses here slim. if he hasn't won anything than why are the expectations so high? What is he calling himself the King of ? Is it a clever nickname given to him as a high schooler playing for a catholic school and playing on the KING JAMES BIBLE? yes. Does he ever claim to actually rule anything? NO

Melo and Durant aren't on teams like that

u think Bron would take MO Williams over Chauncey Billups or Russell Westbrook, How bout Anthony Parker over JR Swish or Jeff Green. What about Jamario Moon over James Harden or Afflalo. JJ Hickson over Birdman/Nene/Kmart or Collison/ Kristic

Some are making comments about legacy, and Jordan didn't leave after loosing for 7 years... you can't compare 2010 to the 80's and 90's. Free agency was different. Jordan made 2mil a year most of his career until the last two w/ the bulls where he made 30mil and 36mil. His dislike of management was well publicized and was part of the reason he retired the 1st time. Kobe demanded a trade a few years ago. We forgot because he won a few championships. What Lebron did was not that serious and will be forgotten soon.

"But mouthing off makes you sound like a jilted ex-girlfriend who can't figure out why she was dumped."

Except when it's a response to the narcissistic ex-boyfriend's surprise public announcement to all friends and family that he's broken up with his girlfriend (without telling her) and taken a new lover.

I believe you have missed the point behind the rage. Nobody would have blamed Lebron for 'breaking up' with Cleveland. It's the fact that he did so in a public forum without their prior knowledge for the entire world to see.

".It looks like the Wiz have a 50/50 chance at making the playoffs, not because they are good, but because with all the talent in the East going to one team, there are actually fewer competitive teams than a year ago.Posted by: Blurred"

The boys in Vegas are busy adjusting the odds as we speak. Haven't set odds for making the playoffs yet, but you'd probably get better odds for remaining in the lottery.

As for the other East teams, remains to be seen how much they improve. Even with Gilbert the Wiz should be significantly younger and less experienced than last year. It's a decent bet that all four draftees make the club and at least two of them get significant minutes.

As far as Eastern competition, it's hard to judge until teams like the Nets and Knicks get through trading and signing FAs. They could really change the balance of things. Cleveland should be down, of course, and probably Toronto, but Milwaukee looks to be stronger with Bogut returning, and Chicago could actually improve.

"u think Bron would take MO Williams over Chauncey Billups or Russell Westbrook, How bout Anthony Parker over JR Swish or Jeff Green. What about Jamario Moon over James Harden or Afflalo. JJ Hickson over Birdman/Nene/Kmart or Collison/ Kristic"

Hah, talk about selective properties.

Yes, I'm fairly certain Lebron would have taken an all-star Moe Williams over a rookie or second-year Russel Westbrook for a one-year shot at a title. I'm also fairly certain he would have taken a veteran Delonte West over rookie James Harden for a one-year shot. He absolutely, 100% would have taken a 20/10 Antawn Jamison over Birdman or KMart, and definitely would have taken a Shaq/Varejao over Collison/Krstic.

The excuses for Lebron's failures are getting laughable at this point.

The Cavs owner is the complete punk!! He would have never made the comments about Lebron if Lebron chose to stay with Cleveland...so that makes him a punk. A real man, would have made those comments about Lebron quiting in the playoffs when their season was done not now. Cleveland needs to crawl back under that rock (Cleveland Rocks!!) and hope the Browns have a good season somehow. I have been to Cleveland, it's really a crap hole...sorry!

Although I feel for the Cleveland fans, LeBron did not leave until after his seven year tenure was up. Owners need to understand that when they trade, cut players that have given them 7-10 years of quaility service only to have owners say, "it's business- not personal." When the shoe is on the other foot with the players in the driver's seat it is still "business." The greater example of owner disloyalty is how MLB owners black-balled Barry Bonds who contributed more to baseball in his years with the Giants as much as any other player in MBL history. In a society where one is innocent until proven guilty- no one has been able to answer the question- why isn't Barry Bonds innocent until proven guilty? Anyone with any degree of common sense realizes that if Barry were allowed to play the last three or four years he would have at least 900 home runs. Owners have finally gotten their just due for how they treat players. MLB owners will experieince the same because you reap what you sow.

I agree LeBron did not handle his departure with much class HOWEVER, Cleveland and its crew and fans are being selfish. The man gave 7 years, is he suppose to play there until he dies???? Selfish bastards, every last one of you in Cleveland. He doesn't owe you all a thing and burning his uniform shows that he made the right decision by leaving.

To those who made deflamatory remarks against LeBron James: 1) Judge not lest ye be judged!; 2) It's really a disgrace when you have adults who believe in casting dispersions upon someone who is trying to better himself! It wsn't about the money, but it's about bettering himself. Unfortunately, like many of the people in this column and on the television, they woudl ratehr make insuating comments than sending LeBron James to Miami with bet wishes.

"As far as Eastern competition, it's hard to judge until teams like the Nets and Knicks get through trading and signing FAs. They could really change the balance of things. Cleveland should be down, of course, and probably Toronto, but Milwaukee looks to be stronger with Bogut returning, and Chicago could actually improve.

Posted by: Samson151"

Boston and Orlando are legit title contenders still.

Atlanta has yet to peak, but is close. Still a viable playoff threat.

Miami...nothing really needs to be said about their improvement.

Chicago was young, very talented, and already a playoff contender, and they added an all-star caliber PF to a team who's biggest weakness was a low-post scoring presence.

The east is five dangerous teams deep, with a few young teams scratching the surface in Milwaukee and Charlotte. After that, the rest of the east is up for grabs, pending the rest of FA.

no excuses here slim. if he hasn't won anything than why are the expectations so high? What is he calling himself the King of ? Is it a clever nickname given to him as a high schooler playing for a catholic school and playing on the KING JAMES BIBLE? yes. Does he ever claim to actually rule anything? NO

You don't even make sense. You throw out he's the best player in the league, 2 time league MVP and then ask why expectations are so high. Not like he won the MVP on a 30 win team. THEY HAD THE BEST RECORD IN THE LEAGUE. An MVP on the team with the best record should EXPECT a title. Ask Ovechkin.

Melo and Durant aren't on teams like that

u think Bron would take MO Williams over Chauncey Billups or Russell Westbrook, How bout Anthony Parker over JR Swish or Jeff Green. What about Jamario Moon over James Harden or Afflalo. JJ Hickson over Birdman/Nene/Kmart or Collison/ Kristic

Cavaliers had a better team than Denver and OKC period Are you really asking Shaq/Jamison over Collison/Kristic?

Don't think it is Cavilers owner's fault for failing to build a championship team around LeBron. They certainly have shelled out the money, and the players they acquired, I am sure LeBron had some say had a hand in theose decisions. The problem is Cleveland market just isn't that attractive.

The one thing they really screwed up is the fiasco to let Boozer walk (think LeBron might have won championship with Boozer already). But that was before Gilbert owns the team!

Except when it's a response to the narcissistic ex-boyfriend's surprise public announcement to all friends and family that he's broken up with his girlfriend (without telling her) and taken a new lover.

I believe you have missed the point behind the rage. Nobody would have blamed Lebron for 'breaking up' with Cleveland. It's the fact that he did so in a public forum without their prior knowledge for the entire world to see.

Posted by: psps23

lebron's people did inform the cavaliers that he was leaving before he announced it on television. that is a fact. and let's be real here-this break-up was going to very public no matter what. at least he told the cavaliers his plans before telling the greater public. do you think everyone in cleveland would have been fine with this if he announced his plans to go to miami on the first day of free agency or via, for example, twitter or breaking news on espn?

Except when it's a response to the narcissistic ex-boyfriend's surprise public announcement to all friends and family that he's broken up with his girlfriend (without telling her) and taken a new lover.

I believe you have missed the point behind the rage. Nobody would have blamed Lebron for 'breaking up' with Cleveland. It's the fact that he did so in a public forum without their prior knowledge for the entire world to see.

Posted by: psps23 | July 9, 2010 1:07 PM | Report abuse

would it not have been publicized? how could they have prior knowledge of an announcement he was making to them. BTW his impending free agency has been a hot topic for 2 seasons, it's awful arrogant of Gilbert to assume Bron would stay in Cle when faced with the option of making another teaman immediate chip contender. Cle wasn't bringing in anyone to take them to that next level, at least no one of the caliber of a Wade or Bosh.

The owner of the Cavaliers and the entire City of Cleveland should really show more class. LeBron has given so much to the Cavs and all of Cleveland throughout his career and he is thanked by unfair criticisms and hate. The owner of the Cavs has zero gratitude and is a very sore loser!

I was a die hard "King Lame(s)" oops I meant King James fan until last night. True superstars don't need to go to other teams in their prime to win a championship. They either recruit other players to join them or they simply lead their team to a championship themselves. I thought that I'd never seen an athlete that was so full of himself until this whole Lebron free agency fiasco. Athletes who are incapable of winning championships with what they have should not brag about their "accomplishments" because in reality without a championship, you've basically accomplished nothing. Why do you think that Lebron jumped ship and went to Miami? He basically admitted that he was incapable of leading a contending team to a champioship himself and basically hit the panic button and admitted that his career would mean nothing if he didn't start winning championships. This move was more about himself and his "legacy" than anything else. Don't get me wrong, Lebron is a great player but I don't think that he can call himself a leader. The funniest thing to me is with Lebron's ego and everything he didn't pay attention to the fact that Miami is already Wade's team. Lebron's after school special to announce that he was coming to a team that two other stars committed to a few days prior only made him look like a follower and not a leader. ARod joining the Jeter led Yankees didn't make it ARod's team. Last time I checked the Yankees were still Jeter's team. Same thing in Miami. For Peace Lebrat, I'm now a Durant fan. Oh, and for all the people who are going to respond about him "gettin' paid"...don't forget that he took less money to go to Miami and that there is a good chance that the league will be locked out this year meaning that no one will be "gettin' paid". Hopefully Lamebron saved up enough vitamin water to sell during his extended vacation. Speaking of sell outs, what's up with Dr. Gridlock? That guy is this areas biggest sellout when it comes to being a Metro apologist! He must also be "gettin' paid" because he's obviously on the Metro's payroll. He probably jumps for joy every time there's a fare increase because he knows his bank account and pockets are getting fatter. Does anyone agree with my anti-gridlock comments?

Sure that whole ESPN hour show was just a testament to the egos athletes have which we fans and media nurture, but the Cav's and Cleveland made boat loads by pimping the LeBron brand for years! So, to say that LeBron is some sort of "traitor" is hypocritical at best. Is Danny sad that he's going to be making less now that a player just sent his whole organization 10 years back? You had SEVEN freekin' years to get a title...now you're "more" motivated??? Huh?!? Should've been "more motivated" before, right? Is someone tickling me because I can't help laugh at this other ego-driven charade. It seems to me LeBron learned his desire for drama from the very institution that first took him and taught him. Good luck with that "gurantee to win a championship before James"-if there was a way to wager on that I'd put "all-in" that LeBron gets two or three rings before the Cavs get to play the second round in the playoffs. That was as stupid of a comment as LeBron making the decision to drag his decision out on TV for another hour of self-promotion.

The excuses for Lebron's failures are getting laughable at this point.

Posted by: psps23 | July 9, 2010 1:12 PM | Report abuse

for the record those are questions not excuses, and they refer to an earlier statement that Lebron didn't play on teams like Durant and Melo. I think Durant and Melo's teams are far more talented than the aging hasbeens and ALL-Star Alternates on the cavs.

"do you think everyone in cleveland would have been fine with this if he announced his plans to go to miami on the first day of free agency or via, for example, twitter or breaking news on espn?"

I think they would have accepted it much more understandably. Nothing other than his staying would have made them happy, but at least if he did it in a professional manner, fans would have understood the pure business decision behind it.

"The one thing they really screwed up is the fiasco to let Boozer walk (think LeBron might have won championship with Boozer already). But that was before Gilbert owns the team!"

They didn't just "let Boozer walk."

The Cavs exercised an out clause in Boozer's contract so they could give him a new contract worth much more than what he was owed under the one they voided (which they weren't obligated to do) . They did this at the request of Boozer and his agent. Then Cavs then owner, Gordon Gund, always maintained there was an agreement in place that he would immediately r-sign with Cleveland if the let him out of the old deal; Boozer, of course, denies this. But as soon as Boozer was free, the Jazz swooped in and offered him a bigger deal than the one the Cavs were offering, too big for the Cavs to match. They didn't have the cap space and, because they terminated his a contract a year early, they didn't have any Early Bird rights over him.

"Legit" is not "contending." It's not like I said they wouldn't be able to fill out the roster with NBA caliber players. I don't think they have the resources to put together the talent needed to advance a title push behind those three, at least not this season. Nothing in your description of the players you think they can get changes my view on that.

Posted by: kalo_rama

I think it's a little early to make that judgement before seeing who starts expressing interest in joining them.

But just looking at the rosters, first off, their top 3 are arguably better than anyone else's top 3 (still yet to proven on the court, of course). If that's true, it buys them a little more wiggle room.

Assuming its Haslem / Chalmers / Miller, they're not that far away already. The only team who's next group after the top 3 obviously outclasses them right now is LA. Haslem definitely is key though. He's the only starting caliber big man they can reasonably count on being willing to re-sign cheap. But how many guys do you really need? 8? 9?

I think they would have accepted it much more understandably. Nothing other than his staying would have made them happy, but at least if he did it in a professional manner, fans would have understood the pure business decision behind it.

Posted by: psps23

lol!! have you forgotten that "fan" is the shortened form of "fanatic"? they would still be hatin' on him no matter what means of communication was used.

That was a scary and unprofessional piece Dan Gilbert wrote about a former employee. What does that say about the Cavs organization. If you were a player would you play for Dan Gilbert knowing he won't have your back. Mark Cuban in an interview about Josh Howard still denied he partied too hard during the playoffs even though it was very likely Howard did.

omgwthrotfl...what a cool name. I wish I chose something more creative like "lol" for mine. You obviously don't know the difference between a "star" and "superstar". You must be a member of Dr. Gridlock's crew. I bet you (like your boy Gridlock) probably think the Metro is a legitmate mass transit system instead of an amateurish wannabe one.

"I think it's a little early to make that judgement before seeing who starts expressing interest in joining them."

Well, wouldn't the same thimg apply to you making the opposite judgement? How is it "too early" for me to say something will happen but not too early for you to say the opposite thing will happen, given that nothing has actually happened yet either way? Not sure how that works.

"lol!! have you forgotten that "fan" is the shortened form of "fanatic"? they would still be hatin' on him no matter what means of communication was used.

Posted by: omgwthrotfl"

You think so?

I know no other sports situation mirrors this one in the total realm of caliber star + attachment to a city, but I don't remember people burning Champ Bailey at the stake when he wanted out from the Redskins. Plenty of former athletes get cheered when they return to their original stadiums (Kurt Warner with the Rams, KG in Minnesota, etc.).

DAN GILBERT IS A TOTAL IMBECILE. To say that the Cavs would win a tile before LeBron would win one with the Heat is totally unrealistic, and to "guarantee" it in writing is idiotic, because Cleveland fans are going to hold him to it. Gilbert should have shown more class in a situation like this. He calls LeBron a "deserter" and "selfish" but you could bet your life that if officials from another major U.S. city offered Gilbert a situation to make more revenue in their city than would he makes in Cleveland with the Cavs, he would relocate the franchise in a heartbeat.

I think the Celtics role players easily top the speculative Heat trio you mentioned. I also think the fact that Magic's core of players have Conf. Finals/Finals experience makes a huge difference in their favor.

Gilbert is a nutjob. How can he be mad about this and issue personal attacks at Lebron. I assure you I am not a Lebron fan--but he is a free agent, he is allowed to go to any team he wants. Dan Gilbert appears to be as grown-up as a 15 year old boy that has been broke up with for the first time. You are a millionaire--act like it. The same way you discontinue deals if they no longer are profitable for you--you must allow Lebron to do the same. Its amazing how whiny and arrogant rich CEOs are. If you would have given Lebron what he needed to win, then I can assure you he would be there. Why is it rich people feel they can treat everybody else like trash and when they are slighted a little bit--they whine. Grow up, shut up (so new free agents will sign with you), and BEAT THEM. Don't whine like a loser.

If Miami wins the Eastern Conference next year, it will be the first time I'll ever cheer for Kobe Bryant. I didn't even know LeKing was pimp-slapping the management in Cleveland 'til you guys said so. Thanks for the enlightening info.

You obviously don't know the difference between a "star" and "superstar".

Posted by: LEBRATLAMES6

you have clumsily fallen into my little trap, LeCaught. ewing and barkley were respectively named one of the 50 greatest NBA players of ALL TIME. that means they were the best of the best. iverson is a certain future hall of famer and was one of the most dynamic and exciting players to lace them up. they were superstars no matter how you slice it.

I knew what happened in Boozer's story, and I believe most people know it too, that's why I mentioned it as a "fiasco" (i.e., not a simple matter of just letting him walk). All in all Cavalier erred in not making a qualifying offer first to retain his right (they can always renegotiate a new, better contract afterward).

Now its LeBron's turn as most hated. For doing what? Leaving on his terms, which some don't like. Of course it was ok for Abe to can MJ after MJ was no longer profitable on the court. That's fine, but this isn't.

Tiger was in this role until last night. For WHO he cheated on (her ethnicity) not the actual act as tons have cheated be4 and after Tiger.

Barry Bonds was in this role, not really for steroid use that's yet to be proven without a doubt, but for breaking records.

Henry Aaron was once in this role for breaking Babe's record. How dare him?

OJ was in the role for a murder that he may or may not have had anything to do with, as there were no eyewitnesses. Of course its ok for Emmet Till's murderers and many others, but not OJ.

Obama is kinda in the role too.
What do they all have in common?

But it's ok for Palin to quit her day job, or for owners to fire coaches and players (as Cavs owner just got rid of Mike Brown and Shaq), but not ok for James to leave HIM. How dare him? LOL
Get real

I know no other sports situation mirrors this one in the total realm of caliber star + attachment to a city, but...

Posted by: psps23

precisely.

Posted by: omgwthrotfl | July 9, 2010 2:08 PM | Report abuse

----------

If Alexander Ovechkin somehow opted out of his contract a couple years from now (even though I know that's not possible) and left DC, you think Caps fans would hate OV?

Not in this lifetime.

And that's about as close as you can get to a similar scenario. 2-time MVP, led his team to the #1 record in the league, widely regarded as the best hockey player on the planet (or at the very least, top 2), fell short in the playoffs, and absolutely ADORED by fans.

First, he's got a J.D. So he's educated. He's also developed and released products which hundreds of thousands of Americans truly gain a benefit and quality of life from using. He's also a billionaire from these ventures.

The NBA is simply a passion of his. And his success or failing in this passion will not detract from the fact that he is a driven, self-made, far-more accomplished and useful resource to our culture than Lebron James could ever dream.

Who the hell looks up to Lebron? Kids who can't read that eat free lunches at public schools who ignore their teachers for hours on end until they can play basketball on asphault courts with no nets?

As an accomplished, educated black man in America, I have seen this as having been a perpetual joke for decades.

These are the only black men that make the news. Ignorant athletes. Lebron's business acumen and judgement? "My Mother is the one I trust the most." Great. Always best to put trust and faith into a woman who had unprotected sex on an unannounced field trip to a city 500 miles away with an absolute stranger at 16 years old. Momma, such a good Momma.

Lebron James will be forgotten. He will become Mel Turpin. He reads at a fourth grade level. Dan Gilbert's great, great grandchildren will be wealthy, educated, competent legacies.

Lebron's great, great grandchildren will use Quicken Loans to purchase their first homes.

I can't wait for the Drazen Petrovic news story about Lebron flipping a Ferrari in Coral Gables. How many sons does he have named Lebron? Holy Christ I hope they get Mel Turpined with him so that my own children don't have to endure seeing another Black Jesus named Lebron.

To all my black peoples. Go to school. Stop playing sports. You all dream of being Dexter Manley or Lawrence Taylor. Those aren't dreams, friends.

If Alexander Ovechkin somehow opted out of his contract a couple years from now (even though I know that's not possible) and left DC, you think Caps fans would hate OV?

Not in this lifetime.

And that's about as close as you can get to a similar scenario. 2-time MVP, led his team to the #1 record in the league, widely regarded as the best hockey player on the planet (or at the very least, top 2), fell short in the playoffs, and absolutely ADORED by fans.

Posted by: psps23

if he had grown up in silver spring, maryland and left the caps for the penguins you MIGHT be close.

I don't see this year being the year they win a championship. Defense and size still play a major role in winning championships and, although, Wade and LeBron are above average wing defenders they are still very vulnerable on the boards and at the rim. Bosh is more of a "finesse" PF than Gasol is. I could even see Orlando tearing them apart especially if Howard ever gets serious about developing one or two go to post moves this summer. Maybe this will be his motivation. Miami is a team right now where I could see a skilled big grabbing 20 rbs and scoring 30+ pts virtual at will in the playoffs. Perkins + Garnett and Bynum + Gasol would be the other front courts standing in the way. I still have the Lakers as the favorite next season. I'll take a deep team that has been there done that over a super group trying to put on a show with no roadies and very little practice.

The cavs got their milliage out of LBJ. They were a lotto team before he came and thats how they got him. They did not do him any favors, he did them one. And he re-up'd his contract after the first one. And they never put good enough players around him to win a championship. They got spoiled to him after he carried a lousy team past Detroit to the finals in 05 but was soundly beat by a real championship team in the Spurs. They did not sign Carlos Boozer when he was a cav, They give him a 38 year old Shaq, past his prime by a good 5 years and AJ who cant check a hat and coat on the last year of his contract and expect him to beat Boston, Orlando and the Lakers with he and Mo Williams as the next best player on the team? LBJ left because he saw the owner was not committed to winning a championship, just committed to using him to make money for his team. The owner is just mad because his gravy train is gone.

Tommy1978

You obviously are a disgruntled cavs fan. Wishing bad on James will not make his life any worse or yours any better. With all the bad things a troll like you are saying about him, ask yourself do you really think he cares what you think or with on him or black people? You are a troll on a blog. You have about as much significance to Lebron, Turpin, Taylor, Manley or black people as the turd I flushed down the toilet this morning. Do you realize that?

Coach Herman Edward said it best. "You play the game to win". In a league where players constantly jump ship for more money, it is refreshing to see a player turn down money in order to compete for a championship. Cleavland owes him way more than he owes that Franchise. They should have thanked him for the money he brought to the franchise and for even having their games broadcast on national TV.

Heres something funny. I heard a NY sports show talking about how Lebron, Wade and Bosh being on the same team is bad for the NBA. A new york sports show folks. The same New York that has a baseball team called the Yankees? That buys up every good ball player in the league? The one that just acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle to go along with the all star team they already have? It just goes to show that there are too many sports talk shows.

i have one thing to say, and that is, if he wants to leave then everyone should respect that. one man dont make a title or a winner. he did what he felt was best for him as he progress during his time in the NBA or maybe this, maybe there should not have been a free agent status in the first place. so who is to blame now?

Let this letter be a warning to all you black athletes! You suffer broken bones and all kinds of other injuries. But just make a decision that is in your own best interest and you get trashed! LeBron James did what any other businessman would have done: follow the money. Why didn't Gilbert up the financial ante? I'm very glad that LeBron James decided to leave this small-minded fool! I can't believe he wanted LeBron to make a decision not in his own favor. It would have been just as easy to congratulate LeBron and wish him well. Oh no! He had to act like the Republican he probably is!

Well, wouldn't the same thimg apply to you making the opposite judgement? How is it "too early" for me to say something will happen but not too early for you to say the opposite thing will happen, given that nothing has actually happened yet either way? Not sure how that works.

Posted by: kalo_rama

I'm not saying it will happen, I'm saying it's possible. In part because I think you're over-estimating the rest of the players on the other teams beyond their top 3. In part because guys have been willing to do it in the past. In part because LeBron/Wade/Bosh are potentially a better top 3 than anyone else's. And because you seemed to be making the case that they need to find 8 or 10 guys, when they don't. They only need to find 4 or 5 (past Bosh, Wade, LBJ, and Chalmers). And even that is assuming the rooks give them nothing.

As for my assumptions, Chalmers is under contract. Miller has apparently agreed to sign with the Heat. Haslem is obviously the big question mark, but I believe I already said that he is the linchpin. In his case, you're right, it definitely is too early on my part. He made $7M last year. I don't think he has made any statements about being willing to take a $5M-$6M paycut to chase a title this year. Given that he has been a Pat Riley kind of player for a while now, I can see it happening, but it is purely speculation at this point.

I think the Celtics role players easily top the speculative Heat trio you mentioned. I also think the fact that Magic's core of players have Conf. Finals/Finals experience makes a huge difference in their favor.
Posted by: kalo_rama

Except for the part where half the group listed isn't under contract, Perkins has a bad knee injury and Wallace might retire.

For the Magic, they added Duhon, which was a good pickup, but neither Barnes or Reddick have resigned.

But beyond that. you honestly don't think they'll be able to convince some of the James Singletons or Roger Masons of the league to sign on? Or guys like Dom McGuire who aren't going to command lot more than the minimum anyway (though who knows, in today's NBA, he may sign for $20M/4yrs tomorrow).

You can always tell the good owners from the bad one. When they get a great player the good ones build a team around them quickly. The not so good ones just use them up for the ticket sales then trade them. When miami got wade the brought in Shaq in his prime. The lakers got Gasol for Kobe, SA always builds its team around Duncan. The cavs got a player that took them from bottom to NBA finals in a couple of years and what did they give him? Mike Brown as coach, 38 year old shaq, Jamison and Larry Hughes as their best additions in 7 years. They got lucky with Mo Williams. Every great team has at least two great players and sound role players. Mike and Scottie, plus Grant and then Rodman Tony and Harper, Magic and Kareem, plus Worthy, Scott and Cooper. Dr J and Moses, Wade and Shaq, Kobe and Shaq, Bird, Mchale and Parish, with Ainge and was trying to add Bias, Allen, Pierce and Garnett with Rondo, Duncan and Robinson, Duncan and Ginobli and Parker, Heck even Stockton and Malone played for a title twice. Now look at the teams that had one great player. AI and ??, Barkley and ?? Lebron and ?? Ewing and ?? They all went to the finals but lack that second great player to get them a championship. Hakeem the dream was the only star player in resent years to win a championship without another great player in 95. And we all know he probably would not have his two rings if Jordan had not been suspended, ooops, I mean retired for 2 seasons. The cavs never got Lebron that second great player to compliment him. Even MJ could not win it without Scottie so what made the owner think Lebron was going to carry that team by himself? I think he was just going to use Lebron up a few more years then trade him. Thats what owners do. Lebron just beat him at his own game and he is mad about that.

I would assume the owner being the person of NO CLASS he is, is the main reason James left. I would also assume that this sniveling little babies temper tantrum is going to prevent a lot of would be basketball greats from even considering Cleveland. Way to go Gilbert….

Here’s my prediction. Cleveland won’t make the playoffs for another 10 years….

It appears to me that LB made the right the decision. For example, I cite Massa Dan Gilbert’s diatribe and name calling:
===========================================

This (the owner’s letter/response) was announced ……. with a……., narcissistic, self-promotional build-up culminating with a national (letter) of his "decision" unlike anything ever "witnessed" in the history of sports and probably the history of entertainment.
I can tell you that this shameful display of selfishness and betrayal by one of our very own has shifted our "motivation" to previously unknown and previously never experienced levels.
Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there.
Sorry, but that's simply not how it works.
This shocking act of disloyalty from our home grown "chosen one" sends the exact opposite lesson of what we would want our children to learn. And "who" we would want them to grow-up to become.
But the good news is that this heartless and callous action can only serve as the antidote to the so-called "curse" on Cleveland, Ohio.
===========================================

This sounds to me like a strong case of the “pot calling the kettle black.”

I'm sure Dan Gilbert was genuinely ticked off, but underlying his anger is the need to deflect blame. At some point the Cleveland fans are going to start looking around for somebody to blame for LeBron's untimely exit. The coach and GM have already been sacrificed, and Byron Scott had just come on board. Dan's just trying to make sure everybody knows he wasn't the bad guy here.

Come on, the owner sounded like a spoiled kid who is use to getting his way and didn't. I did like the Denzel Washington in training day like rant though. "Oh no you didn't?, You B!t*h made N1@@as, Im putting cases on all of yall B!t*hes!! Pellican Bay!! Shoe Patrol!! 24/7 lockdown!! I run this Mutha F'er Lebron, Yall just play here!! Im the police!! King Kong aint got nothin on me!! You know what the gas chamber smells like Lebron? Pine oil.

WOW. What a poor sport. So when a contract is over, according to Dan, it's really not. LaBron, like all other players ON THE PLANET, have a right to go wherever they want. Dan, you helped to create this media frenzy, so now you don't want to play anymore. Hope you find another pot of gold under the rainbow, but for now, you need to repent, repent, repent.

Gilbert hired one of James' friends and paid him more than some assistant coaches to hang out with the team so James would be comfortable. Gilbert allowed members of James' management team to fly on the team jet. He spent $25 million to construct a practice facility that was located 20 minutes closer to James' home than the old one. He rebuilt the locker room. He hired a masseur to travel on the road because James likes massages.

He even fired his head coach, somewhat on spec, with the belief that James wanted a change.

But what I DO love is that these stupid monkies get 20, 30, 70, 180 million dollars for 5-15 years of their lives and they do NOTHING with it.

No education. No business aspirations other than to tag on to some marketing firm in hopes of releasing some neon-colored energy drink or hideous line of clothing.

You know where all that money goes? White girls, good herb, nice cars. That's all those boys will have.

Check up on ANY black athlete over 50 who made more than a million dollars. I would bet my life that over 33% have no money or are horrifically in debt. All these football players will be brain dead and die in their 50s and 60s. All these ballers will gamble and drug themselves into caricatures of themselves. They'll end up just like the Daddies they never knew.

Just like Antoine. What a fat monkey 40-foot jump shooting moron. Ugly, old, fat, and broke, trying to play semi-pro ball in Puerto Rico.

Great life, blacks. Keep being poor and not going to school and dreaming of affletiks.

"We offered LeBron the maximum salary permited by the cap. We offered to stock the team with players of his choice, subject to cap limits. There is nothing more we could have offered. So his decision was not economic but purely EGO."

Why do you care about these monkies [sic] and blacks dreaming of affletiks [sic]? Is it out of deep concern or, more likely, jealousy and hatred? Further, for a guy concerned about education (ostensibly), your grammar and spelling leave a lot to be desired.

If one-third (your estimate) of black athletes have money problems at some point after they've retired, then that necessarily means that the overwhelming majority of black athletes (again, according to your estimate) do not.

You should read more. You'd find that there are many, many black athletes who've made more money outside of sports than they ever did on the court or field. They have also been philanthropic and helped to educate and/or find jobs for thousands of young people so that they can become productive members of society. The athletes of which I speak are not that hard to find out about. Unless, of course, your addiction to ignorance is a habit you can't kick.

Save your I'll talk trash about black people on the internet because i am too much of a scared wuss to say it to a real black persons face crap for someone who actually takes you seriously. I know your intention is to insult blacks in hopes that it will make someone angry but living around loser white people like you all my life I am not soo easily insulted by your lame post about 200 dollar sneakers and calling blacks monkeys. We black people have been through much worse to actually be angered easily by some redneck troll on the internet who spends his day posting racial stereotypes about black people. Where I come from if you are better than someone you dont have to try to prove it, you just are. You are on the internet trying to prove that you are better than blacks people. How pathetic for who I assume is a white male in America. To feel they need to do that to feel good about themselves. I am not insulted, however I do feel sorry for someone who is as insecure about black people as you are? What happened to you? Were you bussed into the black neighborhood schools as a kid and got beat up a lot by black boys? Or did some black jocks run a train on your girl or sister in college? Or maybe your mom was a ho and most of here clients were black guys and it had a traumatic affect on you. Or maybe you are just one of those losers who need attention so you feel insulting people racially on a blog is the best you can do. Its got to be something for you to have such a hard on for black people that you are on a web blog posting the crap you post. By the way, Antoine Walker still has more money than you. Even after bankruptcy. I will bet the house on that. How does it feel to be such a loser that he can still spend your broke ass any day of the week? Hell, I probably can and I am not an NBA player. This last one is going to really kill you. You know that Obama guy who is president? Well hate to be the one that ruins your day but.....................

As usual you are on the right page. He needs to blame someone for lebron leaving before the fans figure out it was him who gave James no one to play with but 38 year old shaq and Jamison for seven years. And what he should realize is James did not chose Cleveland, Cleveland chose him. It could have been a number of teams that ended up with the lottery pick that year. Cleveland should be thanking James for making them a team worth watching for the last 7 years. And so should the owner. Lebron could have easily left after his first contract ended. Maybe he would have already had a ring if he did.

I dont think so, If I had to choose between who is suffering the most over this, Lebron or You? I would say you are the unhappy one, Lebron is doing just fine. Then again, maybe he is reading every blog written by people who dislike him and is sitting at his computer in Miami crying his eyes out over all the negative things people like you are saying.............Naaaaaaaaaaaaaah. Why do you people post all this negative crap on blogs as if the person you are trashing is going to read it or actually give a damn? Or maybe one of us can fly to Miami, find Lebron and read this blogs to him............Naaaaaaaaaaaah. Hey, does anyone have Lebron's tweet account? These people need to talk directly to him. Maybe he can go on Larry King and takes some calls. You can call in and give him an ear full.

Can't blame this owner for being pissed, but should have toned it down a bit. It will be hard to get free agents to Cleveland.

More importantly, Can't believe folks got so wrapped up in this circus. Love high school and college basketball, but Pro basketball sucks. I watched some the final game of the championship this year (my only time this year). I had to turn it off. What did I see? Guys who couldn't make foul shots. Couldn't make jump shots. Terrible fundamentals. Walking on alot of plays. One-on-one play while others stand around. And for all this we pay these chumps hundreds of millions. Seems like if we keep going this way the pro game will implode..Can't happen too soon for me.

Lebron would end up like KG in a few years if he stayed. And the fans would end up turning on him if he never won a championship. And the owner would end up trading him at the end of his career to a non contender for a few draft picks. KG got lucky and ended up with boston. Most guys in that position end up in..... well.... Cleveland.

With 19 rebounds, he's saying LeBron quit in game 6? I can see scoring a bunch of points and quitting, it costs nothing to shoot. it costs your body to crash the boards with Garnett and friends.

Why would any quality free agent come to Cleveland now? He knows that if he leaves, other than at the owner's convenience, said owner will likely unload on him.

LeBron owes Cleveland nothing! He gave them seven years. He gave them as much as one person could. But it takes 5 to win a championship, and he never had a sufficient supporting cast. Yes he grew up there. Does that mean he is shackled to the area and can never leave (until he's traded in the twilight of his career)? No. I've never been a LeBron fan. But good for him!

Hey, people! Wake up! Tuna are being hunted to extinction! 25,000+ old underwater oil wells in the Gulf of Mexico remain unplugged and leak, in aggregate, half-as-much as the now infamous BP blowout! In the Arctic Ocean, huge oceanic methane-hydrate deposits are beginning to dissolve into warmer water! Tropical Rainforest deforestation continues unabated worldwide! In Mexico, drug gangs wage war against the government in an all-out civil war. In Italy, Chinese criminal gangs are slowly gaining the upper hand; in central Italy! The economies of Spain, Greece, Ireland, Portugal and the UK are imploding ....

Posted by: hogsmile

So why are you reading this article and blogging? Oh yea, god sent you to wake us up and enlighten us. My bad.

Gilbert is a real dirtbag.....Cleveland gets what it deserves....and idiot of an owner who fired two guys, Coch Brown and GM Ferry the two winningest guys at their jobs over the last 2 years. Loyalty? Gilbert is an embarrassment to Ohio and I'll bet he never gets any top tier players to come there as long as he is owner. I'll bet he(Gilbert) never wins any championship in anything. What a jerk. Congrats to LeBron, D-Wade, and Bosh win alot except when they play my Charlotte guys.

12345 wrote: "James is an excellent business man. He did what he felt was best for his career, finances, and future just like every other successful business person." -- No. If his only desire is making money, he should have gone to the Knicks, to a city where he can make all the money he wants.

LeBron wants to sort of "guarantee" himself a championship (no "legendary" player can go without one or two championships and it appears that he's getting desperate) but in the process, has dealt himself a huge blow. He will no longer be a legitimate superstar of Jordan/Bryant level, not with Wade already there. Regardless of what Wade had promised him, any championship they together might (no guarantee there either) win will not be won by a "LeBron" team, but a Duayne/LeBron" team. He will never be mentioned in the same breath as Jordan or Bryant. Is that really what he wants? Maybe or maybe not, but I personally believe he's made a huge personal mistake!